J«^ 




#LIBIIAIIY OF CONGRESS.^ 

I ^ L * 

^ UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. | 



POEMS AND ESSAYS: 



INCLUDING 



ADDRESS TO OCEAI, 



THE GREAT QUESTION, 



&c., &c. 



BY MRS. J. F. ADAMS. 




LAWRENCE: . ' v 
GEO. W. SARGENT & CO., PRINTERS. 

■j 



> 






4 



PREFACK- 



The only apology which can be given for presenting to the public a book 
possessing no higher degree of literary merit than this httle volume can 
claim, may be briefly stated. The articles were prepared by the writer dur- 
ing a season of confinement to her room from physical infirmities ; and as 
tjiese difficulties still continue in a considerable degree, thereby rendering 
her incapable of much exertion, they, together with the loss of property 
and bereavement of friends, may commend her to the sympathy of others. 
The desire to do good by the dissemination of pious thoughts, even though 
they may not be expressed in an elegant style of language, is a strong 
reason in the mind of the writer for wishing the articles published. We 
know that a vast amount of good is done by the popular method of writ- 
ing, namely : by well arranged stories conveying lessons of piety and pro- 
priety in all things. But how often it is, after beholding, as it were, our 
natural faces as in a glass, while reading these stories, that we go away and 
forget what manner of persons we are, or neglect to improve by the exam- 
ples they furnish to our minds, both of the good and evil characters which 
they portray ! 

Whether our plan of close reasoning and persuasive argument will have 
any more lasting effect, we cannot tell ; but we sincerely hope that all who 
read this work will at least endeavor to be prepared to answer the Great 
Question without remorse or regret on their own part, 

" Whene'er their hour of trial comes." 
Some errors which appear in the work, are owing to the circumstances 
of the author's not seeing any printed sheet till the whole number was 
completed. The article entitled " Two Scenes with Reflections," is intend- 
ed as a memorial to a deceased husband. His body lies where " no stone 
can mark the spot." This article is intended here in place of a monument 
to his memory. 



TO MISS L- 



Dear Madam:— 

There are reasons, which you will readily understand, why this 
book should be dedicated to yourself, if to any one. Though entertaining 
different sentiments from the author on some subjects, yet, you kindly 
listened to the reading of a number of these articles while in manuscript 
and thus encouraged her in the work of preparing them. 
With sincerely good wishes, 

Yours, cSjc, 

J. F. A. 



APOSTKOPHE TO THE OCEAN. 

Well mayst thou roar, thou mighty ocean, 

And raise high thy notes triumphal ! alas I 

For thou hast conquered man, — proud, peerless man ; 

Yea, many victories canst thou count o'er men 

And ships which now lie prostrate 'neath thy car 

Of triumph. Insatiate monster thou. 

The skill and genius of succeeding years, 

And all the intellectual strength which men 

And nations can combine to bear against 

Thy fury, have been tried in hope to save 

Thy victims from the grasp of thy strong arm, 

And lead them safely o'er thy mountain waves, 

In vain. Thy giant-like strength o'ermasters 

All their arts, laughing them to scorn. 

Yea, now, 
Thy song is loud and boisterous in its tone. 
As it hath ever been. Methinks a note 
Of wailing, a sad, funereal peal. 
Or solemn, dirge-like strain, would seem more fit ; 
'Twould serve to show thou hadst respect for those 
Who bravely died, contending to the last. 
Ah I well ; this v/e should hardly dare expect : 
Few conquerors are found enough humane 
Or kind to feel more pity for the ones 
They make to suffer by their pride and rage 
Than joy for their own victory. Why dost 
Thou not restrain tliy billows when they rise 
Up into cones and avalanches steep, 
That fall and burst like thunder on our ships, — 
Which break them up, and drown our men? 



Hast thou 
No pity ? or art thou but a hfeless mass 
Of inert matter, that would be quiet 
But for a force, a powerful lever, 
Wind, or air, which goes down 'neath thy entrails, 
Whirhng thee into madness and fury, 
'Gainst thy will? 'Gainst this power thou'it powerless, 
An engine moved by a superior force. 
An instrument in the Creator's hand 
Thou seemest, to deal out ruin and distress 
On men, and women too. For if but one 
Of our frail members perish, all the rest 
Must deeply feel the loss, and mourn its fate. 
The Babylonish kings, in days of old, 
Were rods of anger, whereby God chastised 
His chosen Israelites, when they transgressed 
His righteous laws. 



•o' 



To have thy mission changed 
Why canst thou plead ? It seems a task severe 
To minister judgments even on those 
Who stand condemned. Thou sparest not the good. 
Or great, or age, or sex ; alike they fall 
Beneath thy power, when thou in rage dost boil. 
Men who contend on battle-fields expect 
That some will fall. But thou at times art calm 
And still : so beautiful thou seemest then 
We can but love thee ; ay, we long to throw 
Ourselves upon thy breast, and gently skim 
Across thy sparkhng waves. 

Thou fascinat'st 
Us by thy varied charms, sublime and grand, 
And then too oft prov'st treacherous to our trust. 
A fickle friend art thou, thus to betray 
Us to our loss ; yet 'tis not thou alone 
Which causest our distress and mak'st us mourn. 
Though thou hast covered all who once were dear 
To us on earth, we'll still be just to thee : 
The gale terrific, darkness caused by snow, 
Perchance a floating piJlar formed of ice, 
Made them a prey to thy devouring maw. 
Yet these were formed by God. The rocky ledge 
And hidden shoal seem sometimes worse than thou. 



That coral reef, o'er which the water looks 
So milky white, straight in ouir pathway lies 
When sailing to those isles and lands which lie 
All round the gulf. 

Yet, Lord, we do not dare 
To ask why thou doest aught thy wisdom plans. 
But then, our minds are part of thine own self; 
And though aware that we should quietly 
Submit ourselves to thine unerring will, 
Sometimes the thought arises, wond'ring, asks 
Why are things thus ? 

Perhaps from them we might 
A lesson learn of faith in thee, and care 
Concerning other dangers which are strewn 
In all our paths, by land and sea. 

Please, Lord, 
To grant our hearts' deep prayer : Be merciful 
And kind to seamen in their hour of woe, 
Whene'er it be. 'Tis echoed in the breasts 
Of all the good and kind, yea, e'en by some 
Who have but this one pious wish : ''God save 
The sailor." Oh ! hear it, Lord. Like incense 
May it rise even to thy throne. Now humbly. 
Most humbly, we acknowledge few of us 
Approach thine altar as thy law requires, 
Witk hands and hearts both free from guilt ; but may 
The depth of soul in this petition breathed 
Win it thy favor, and have weight with thee 
When on thy mercy-seat. We ask it, last. 
In Jesus' name, who once went forth to join 
His friends, and calm their fears, walking upon 
The foaming wave-tops' crests unharmed, upheld 
By an unshrinking faith in thee. Oh I in 
That hour of all most solemn, when the dark 
Relentless monster comes in view, and then 
With threatening looks, and arms outstretched, diuws near 
And nearer slowly, — no wife or mother there. 
Or messenger by whom to send them back 
A farewell word, — no way or opening left 
For hope to 'scape the dreaded grasp, — dear God, 
Be thou their friend, and thy good Spirit send 
With cheering thoughts, — of pardon for their sins ; 



Of home and frieuds beyond the reach of storms, 
Collisions, ice and hail. O I help them, Lord, 
To bear the dread inevitable fate 
Which them awaits, and which by lingering 
Seems yet worse. May they then recall the scene 
At Golgotha, where thine Anointed One 
Endured for us such anguish keen. Too fierce 
It was for e'en his mental strength to bear ; 
Else why that cry, "My God, my God, why hast 
Thou me forsaken?" Pity, Lord, when those 
Of merely human origin thus speak 
And feel, when trials deep and sore becloud 
Their mental vision. 

May they then rely 
On Jesus' power, to give them strength to bear 
The worst things calmly, and be firm through all. 
By faith in him who suffered for their sins. 
To raise them up at last. 

Again to thee, 
Old ocean, now we turn, to say some words 
Of glad farewell. There's One can conquer thee ; 
And thou at his command must bow, and shrink 
Before his presence. Rememberest thou 
That when of old he bade the winds and waves 
**Be still," that all was calm? 

The hour draws nigh 
When those poor men, o'er whom thou rollest on 
Thy waves with monarch-like procession tread, 
Shall be dehvered from their dark abode 
'Neath thy despotic sway. E'en as the whale 
Delivered up the prophet, so shalt thou 
Give back the dead which are in thee, and they 
Will live again. Yea, they'll rise in triumph ; 
And as thou art dried up to thy centre, 
Will come forth victorious to meet their King, — 
The Conqueror of death and sin, and him 
That hath the power of death; and thou nor they,. 
No more canst have dominion over them. 

Then shall peal forth an anthem loud and deep. 
Echoing far and wide with sound prolonged, 
Till earth's firm pillars feel its .power, sustained 



Through all the upper skies in purest strains, 
To him who rescued men ; — yet all unheard 
By thee ; for then there's no more sea. 

Farewell, 
Then, ocean ! Ere long the angel cometh, 
To step one foot on thee and one on earth ; 
And when he lifts his hand and swears by him 
Who liveth evermore that time's last glass 
Has run, the music of thy waves shall cease. 



THE GREAT QUESTION. 

Matthew, 16th, 26th. 

For what is a man profited if he shall gain the ivhole world 
and lose his own soul ? or what shall a man give in exchange 
for his soul? 

Dear reader, whoever thou mayst be, turn not from this essay 
because the subject is a solemn one : for though indeed it be 
solemn, it is addressed to thee as much as to any other per- 
son ; and it is of such a nature that thou canst not always 
put it off or shrink from it. Even should you manage in some 
manner while you live on this earth to avoid thinking much 
about it, that will only render it tenfold more solemn to you 
when once you pass this probationary state and find yourself 
in what we now term the unseen world, but what after all is 
the real world. What we see and handle are not so real as 
those mental thoughts of ours, which will exist forever. How- 
ever, we intend to present one original idea in the course of 
our reasoning, and beg you to read on till you come to it, even 
if no farther. But first we will relate a true circumstance, or 



8 

anecdote if you please to call it by that name. A gentleman 
of talent and ability had imbibed certain ideas on religious 
subjects, as led him to believe, or to think he believed, that 
all persons would finally be made holy and happy in a future 
state. On a certain occasion he called upon a clergyman in 
New England, and talked for some time to him upon his re- 
ligious views. The minister listened patiently, saying but 
little in reply ; and the other left him, feeling that his mode 
of presenting the matter was so persuasive that the minister 
could not controvert it. However, in this he learned that he 
was mistaken. The next morning the clergyman called on 
him as he was about leaving the town, and accompanied him 
to the cars, and when near separating observed that there 
was one question he wished to ask him, and hoped he would 
consider it over carefully before giving a reply. Then fol- 
lowed the startling question, "What is a man profited if 
he gain the whole world and lose his own soul ?" &c. The 
whistle sounded ; the gentlemen parted. There was no op- 
portunity for giving an evasive reply, nor would such a ques- 
tion admit of it. The traveller, now left to his own reflections, 
had ample time to ponder this most momentous question. 
Although it had been partly forgotten, yet now he well re- 
membered who it was who first asked this question, — that it 
was no bigoted priest, or pious fanatic, but the Lord Jesus 
himself. The result of this gentleman's reflections were that 
his opinions were so far changed that he soon gave up the 
practice of the law, and became an Orthodox minister. 

Now, let us continue our reflections upon this text. We 
have already seen who first asked the question. Now, what 
wisdom would there be in his propounding such an inquiry, 
if there were no possible danger that any one could become 
a castaway, or lose his soul ? The very fact that one who 



we all believe knew all things concerning what he preached 
and taught asked such a question ought to settle the matter 
at once, that such a thing is possible, — that one may, by- 
choosing the things of this world in preference to seeking 
only for the true riches, lose his soul. 

Some may say that this would imply annihilation. Sup- 
pose that this text might be so understood : would any one 
be quite willing to be struck out of existence altogether, as 
unworthy to be permitted to live ? The love of immortality 
is a universal principle among all nations and people. 

"Memory — the hero buys it with his blood, 
The patriot with proud sacrifice of self, 
The poet with sweet music from his lute, 
Of which his feelings are the subtle chords : 
Yea, even the vain rich build palaces, 
To make their name immortal." 

All heathen who are raised to some degree above merely an- 
imal existence have some desires of living hereafter. The 
Indian looks to large, beautiful hunting-grounds, his ideas of 
happiness being fixed upon the excitement of hunting. The 
Mahometans imagine a heaven suited to their ideas of bliss 
in this world. We who have read the Bible, or heard it read, 
have different conceptions of what constitutes heaven. If we 
should happen to be filled with whatever we have sought 
most on earth, as a means of happiness, or enabling us to kill 
time agreeably, we may not now stop to imagine what would 
be the state of things hereafter. 

Our pride and our affections both make us wish to be re- 
membered in this world ; and for the sake of him who made 
us, we should be unvnlling to be bad and unprofitable, that, 
like a poisonous weed, or a tree so crooked and ugly as to be 
useless and unsightly, we should be destroyed in order to get 
rid of us. 



10 

Most persons desire to meet their relatives in another world, 
even though they may care little for God's society or pres- 
ence. And here let us pause a moment to ask Why do peo- 
ple not care for the society of God and of Jesus ? Is it be- 
cause they are unacquainted with them? We sometimes 
love persons whom we have never seen. We love that lady 
who joined the army at the Crimea in order to nurse the sick 
soldiers. Miss Nightingale's name will be had in everlasting 
remembrance. 

We admire some persons for their great talents merely, 
aside from goodness. Now God unites every kind and de- 
gree of talents and goodness in himself, and has given us the 
means of learning his character and becoming acquainted 
with him, by reading, and still more by prayer. 

But to return : if we desire to meet our friends in a future 
state, we must naturally suppose that they wish to meet with 
us there. Every mother would wish all her children to be 
happy; and this (we were going to say) would cover the 
whole human family ; but oh ! why do not all mothers set 
their children a good example, and endeavor to draw them to 
heaven by the cords of a mother's love, the strongest of any 
earthly attachment? O, dear reader! for the sake of thy 
mother, who will wish thee to be happy whatever may befall 
herself, try to get a passport to the regions of bliss in a future 
state ; and for thine own sake, and God's sake, and Jesus' 
sake, try to gain the pearl of great price, which in another 
place Jesus says is worth more than all the riches of earth. 
This passport, this priceless pearl, can only be obtained by a 
proper faith in the Lord Jesus, and a submission to his re- 
quirements above all other considerations. Unfortunately, 
some endeavor to explain away certain passages of our Lord's 
ijsyings and other scriptures ; but it is a fearful thing to do 



11 

this. The serpent said to Eve "Ye shall not surely die" — 
delusive sophistry. Shall we reject the testimony of God, 
and of his Son, for false reasoning from imperfect and sinful 
men, or fallen spirits? St. Paul says though an angel from 
heaven preach any other doctrine than that which he preached, 
let him be accursed. Now this great apostle speaks in one 
place of the possibility of his being a castaway if he did not 
practise the precepts which he enjoined on others. This term 
is of the same import as losing one's soul, so that we have 
additional testimony to the same idea implied in one text, 
and spoken by the Lord himself, even from one of the highest 
of the apostles. We will now present the reader with the 
original idea which we promised. 

In the Old Testament there are passages which say the 
wicked shall be confounded and shall stagger, but not with 
strong drink, when the Lord bringeth his judgments upon 
them. Now, kind reader, thou mayst have seen a man reel 
because he was intoxicated, and if so we hope that thou re- 
ally pitiedst him sincerely. Alas that we should ever laugh 
at the misfortunes of others, or be angry with them when pity 
would be far more appropriate, and lead to better results I 
We know not what severe trial was preying upon his mind, 
which led the man to drink in order to "drown trouble." 
Perchance thou hast seen persons in a state of partial insan- 
ity, — not raving crazy, yet sufficiently diseased in mind as 
to be perfectly miserable, — incapable of thinking properly, 
or of enjoying any comfort. This is a state of the greatest 
possible suffering — no peace of mind day or night ; for when 
such a person is asleep it is so lightly that they keep dream- 
ing over their troubles, and suflering even while apparently 
asleep. If an arm be diseased, we may bandage it up, and 
try io keep it still ; but the mind will not be kept still by 



12 

bandaging the head; it cannot be entirely passive, and in 
cases of insanity it is often fearfully excited. A certain wo- 
man who was or had been insane gave it as a reason that 
such did not feel the cold that their blood was boiling in their 
brains. This statement is at least partly true ; for sometimes 
the head feels as if it were burning with intense heat, owing 
to the unnatural excitement. Another person for many years 
had a severe humor, which at one time was driven inward, 
and during that period she was partially insane ; but after a 
few years the humor broke out on the surface again, and she 
became well in mind. The humor, however, became very 
severe, nearly covering her body ; but when friends would ex- 
press pity for her on this account, she told them that laas no- 
thing to what she had endured during the whole period that 
her mind was diseased. A gentleman in Massachusetts, who 
for some time was partly deranged from dyspepsia, says that 
his mental sufferings were so severe that sometimes he bit 
his fingers as deep as he could, and at others threw himself 
on the floor with all the force he had, in order to hurt his 
body in some way, so as to get relief for his mind. Consid- 
ering what insane persons suffer, it is almost a wonder that 
more do not commit suicide when their feelings are perfectly 
unbearable. And this leads us a step on our original inten- 
tion. 

But first we observe those persons feel confounded, con- 
fused, at their wits' end, distracted, &c. 

Now let us suppose a person has lived tolerably easy in 
this world, and hoping to be perfectly happy in another state, 
either because he had committed no terrible crimes, or from 
some wrong ground of hope ; yet when he has passed the 
boundary of probation's time, he learns that he cannot possi- 
bly be admitted into the society of the blessed, nor on farther 



13 

information can he learn that repentance will serve any pur- 
pose now ; or at least though a repentant spirit is better than 
a hardened, rebellious state, still he cannot enter into that 
happy state he has been hoping for. Now if disappointments 
sometimes cause insanity here, may not such a terrible dis- 
appointment as this, an irremediable mistake, make a mind 
utterly distracted ? and as no way of relief appears, may not 
perfect madness, or some kind of insanity, be the result ? A 
small disappointment is hard to bear, a greater one hard- 
er, and such a one as this, dear reader, unless thy peace is 
made with God, we wish thee to ponder well ; for when we 
know we alone are to blame, deep must be our remorse. It 
is not necessary that there should be any literal fire or brim- 
stone, or iron chains. If a person be once insane, and imag- 
ines that evil spirits have power over him, he needs no worse 
torment. It does not follow that because the mind is sepa- 
rate from the body it cannot feel distracted. We fear that 
the feelings will be keener than what an insane person feels 
in this world, or something like them, perhaps, but worse, 
and in proportion as one has been more or less bad will be 
their remorse and suffering. 

Let us imagine the feelings of a person who has thought 
only of what is usually called pleasure, (parties, balls, cards, 
gay living, trying to eclipse his neighbors in some way,) or 
who has cavilled at the Bible, and tried to explain its threat- 
enings away, when he finds that he is shut out from God's 
presence because he did not seek it here, shut out from the 
company of the pious because he disliked it here ; or at least 
it w^as irksome to him — he wanted lively society. Now he 
is obliged to be with the bad, whether he will or not. He 
sees their thoughts, and they see his thoughts ; there is no 
deception now, no loud laughter in order to conceal the agony 



14 

within, -no wine-cup to flee to in order to produce forgetful- 
ness, no secret bedchamber to which to flee to weep in secret 
or pray to God for one drop of mercy. No ; if one prays 
there, he knows that all present see his words. Perhaps he 
was ashamed to pray in public while he lived on earth ; alas ! 
now, if this be so. I don't know but prayers may be accept- 
able in one sense, — permitted, at least ; for the mind that 
will pray is happier than the one that cannot or will not ; and 
one might pray for such a spirit, if nothing more. It might 
be admitted into the society of the penitent, rather than the 
extreme bad. But we will soon change the subject ; it is too 
painful to dwell upon. 

We mentioned that we rather wondered that insane per- 
sons did not oftener commit suicide. In the spirit world this 
cannot be thought of or meditated upon as a way of escape 
from present sufferings. God grant that none whom we 
know or have known may experience these things I 

Some say heaven and hell are not places^ but merely states 
of the mind. We will leave this matter, but observe that the 
:<ociety we are in has very much to do with our happiness or 
discomfort; as well as our own thoughts. The Savior's 
thoughts were always good, but he was not always happy 
while in this world. It made him unhappy to see men buy 
and sell things in the temple ; he wept for sympathy or pity 
when looking at Jerusalem, in view of the sufferings of the 
people which the blindness of their rulers was bringing upon 
them. Here we might observe how different is the Savior's 
example from the cold words of philosophy which we fre- 
quently hear in these days. Some persons who even feel for 
others' sufferings will not give an expression of sympathy, as 
they say, for fear of doing harm ; — false reasoning, utterly 
false. The heart that feels things truly will in some way 



15 

exhibit its sympathy. The Lord never told people not to 
complain, or to mourn the loss of friends ; he expects people 
of proper feelings to do this, and gave them these feelings 
which lead to it. To return : it is the society of kindred 
minds, in some way, that makes happiness anywhere. A 
child may be pleased with a toy for a little while ; larger 
children are pleased with flowers, trees, landscapes, and other 
inanimate things : but all want some one to speak to about 
those things. True friendship we consider the highest plea- 
sure ; reciprocity of sentiments and feelings constitutes our 
highest happiness I while on earthy* and in another world it 
will be the same. 

In conclusion, let us inquire what is our duty with regard 
to the momentous question with which we began this essay. 
Shall we try to save our own souls, and also try to lead oth- 
ers to do the same, so far as is in our power ? 

Did Christ o'er sinners weep? 
And shall our tears be dry ? 

We are all sinners, in a greater or less degree ; but God gave 
his Son to die for us in our stead. He so loved the world 
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believetli 
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. — John, 
2d, 16th. Precious text ! the worth of the universe is small 
in comparison with its worth. 

But does some one say How shall I believe aright in order 
to be saved ? If thy intentions be right, the Spirit will lead 
thee in the right way. All we can advise is to enter into thy 
chamber, or some private place, and there confess that thou 
hast done some things thou shouldst not have done and hast 
left undone many things which thou shouldst have done, ac- 
cording as thou alone knowest thy secret wanderings from 



16 

the teachings of the holy book. Then in a humble spirit and 
manner ask God to forgive thy faults, and blot them out of 
the book of his remembrance, for Christ's sake, and to give 
thee his Holy Spirit to enlighten thy understanding, and pu- 
rify thy heart, and sanctify thy affections ; so thou shalt learn 
to take no pleasure in those things which are not pleasing to 
God. A certain ignorant man was taught to pray a prayer 
of ten words: — "Oh! God, for Christ's sake give me thy 
Holy Spirit :" which ultimately led to his conversion. Last- 
ly, read the Bible often and carefully ; but do not explain 
away its teachings by sophistry, lest thy part be taken out of 
the holy city, and thy name out of the book of life. 



" We, then, that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the 
iveak, and not to please ourselves,^"* — Romans, 15th, 1st. 

Although this admonition be given by the great apostle to 
us Gentiles, yet how seldom is it put into practice by the 
majority of professed Christians! On the contrary, it too 
often happens that if a brother be weak-minded in any way, 
he is despised accordingly. We forget that he belongs to 
Christ, and that for his sake we should love him and bear 
patiently with his infirmities. 

When a man has a physical defect, so that he needs a 
staff, or a crutch, or some outward assistance, we would think 
it cruel and ill-mannered to ridicule him, or make light of 
his affliction ; and surely no mere bodily infirmity is so bad 
as a weak or diseased mind. We should, therefore, show 
more care and pi^y for ojie of this class llian for one of the 



17 

former. We should also remember that few of us are per- 
fect in every respect. This consideration will produce a feel- 
ing of charity towards those less fortunate than ourselves. 
This same apostle asks those who are disposed to boast of 
their superior privileges — "Who made thee to differ, or 
what hast thou, that thou didst not receive ?" If we possess 
genius, talent, or wisdom, or well-balanced minds, we should 
remember that we did not make these for ourselves. It is 
God who has bestowed them upon us ; and to him we should 
give all the praise, and endeavor to prove ourselves worthy 
of such favors, by employing them for the benefit of those 
less richly endowed. 

If all were wise and talented, virtue and greatness would 
have but little scope to develop themselves, compared with 
what they have under existing circumstances ; and in no 
way does virtue shine so conspicuously, or is so pleasing to 
God, as when employed to assist the weak, the poor, or the 
ignorantf or in reclaiming the wanderer from the paths of 
error or vice. They that turn many to righteousness shall 
shine as the stars forever and ever. — Daniel. Job said, he 
had been eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. A noble 
testimony to be able to give of one's self. Would to God 
that more great men were like Job in this respect ! 

But our chief design is to plead the cause of those who 
labor under some kind or degree of mental difficulty. Some 
children are injured by blows on the head, sometimes received 
in play, from the effects of which they never recover. But 
it is not always that these things are known or allowed of 
as an excuse for the individual being somewhat less " smart'' 
or wise than others. The writer knew an instance of the 
skull's being fractured in childhood, and no one knew how 
much of the person's mii>fortunes in after-life was owing to 



18 

this circumstance. There is one comforting thought in con- 
nection with these things ; which is that all things are known 
to our Creator, and he will make due allowance for such 
infirmities. 

Were we fully aware of all things which cause defects of 
character, particularly deficiencies of intellect, we would often- 
er have feelings of pity for the unfortunate person, than those 
of fault-finding and contempt. When we lose friends by 
death, we forget all their foibles, and remember only their 
love and affection for us, and what good qualities they pos- 
sessed. Sometimes, too, we regret that we did not enter into 
their feelings more deeply, and sympathize more with their 
troubles. It seems to be necessary to suffer similar troubles 
to what others do, in order to feel properly for them. The 
writer had a friend who suffered severely from pains through 
^he top part of the head, which at times were almost mad- 
dening; but at that time not having herself had the same 
kind of pain, she did not know how almost unbearable such 
pain is when violent. The whole brain becomes so inflamed 
that to think or speak causes severe torture. Some persons 
think that persons who are insane or partially so do not really 
suffer much, and what they do think they suffer is only im- 
aginary. There are some cases of insanity where persons 
are quiet and simple like children. Then they may be com- 
paratively happy. But when they seem unhappy, they really 
feel so. Even if it be an erroneous idea that has taken such 
possession of their minds, this does not lessen its effect on 
them ; neither can they eradicate it from their minds, while the 
brain is in a diseased state. A person who suffered from a se- 
vere cerebral disease for a long time thinks now that the severi- 
ty of the blows which caused the difficulty paralyzed a portion 
of the brain; for she could not seem to get hold of it. It 



, 19 

seemed to be held, as it were. She could not feel like her- 
self; she had such an insupportable feeling that it is inde- 
scribable ; it was as if her head and one side were in some 
way beyond her powers of control; they both seemed to be 
held by some unseen power. It was all a nervous disease, 
but her sufferings were dreadful. If one could suppose him- 
self constantly walking over quicksand, and ready to sink 
at every step, but endeavoring with all 'his might to hold 
on, or walking where dangers lay so thick of any kind that 
it was like being suspended by a hair over a precipice, he 
might get some idea of the way things seemed to this per- 
son, owing to the terrible state of her brain and nervous sys- 
tem. If the idea of complete misery can be imagined, insane 
persons often suftbr it. With regard to the evil being imag- 
inary, it is positive and real, in such a case as this. A skilful 
physician told a patient once she could not see things in 
tlieir true light; while her nerves were so diseased, it was im- 
possible. She would have to be well to judge of them cor- 
rectly. Let us suppose of a case of a mother being at 
church in an evening, and an enemy or umvise friend going 
to her and saying, — "There is a fire raging near your house 
— very near; your children are in danger." That mother 
would hasten homewards ; but when near there, if she found 
that the fire was in a contrary direction from her house, 
would her being deceived diminish the effect of her fears for 
the time she believed it real ? Surely not. So a wife might 
hear of the loss of her husband's ship, but in a way which 
left a chance of his being saved. Still, a body had been 
found which was believed to be that of her husband ; and 
consequently she gave him up as dead; but in the course of 
a year he managed to return home, after being long detained 
by illness in a foreign land : would the fact Ihat he was still 



20 

alive make his wife's feelings any less intense during the 
time she believed him to be dead ? If we believe anything 
the effect is the same as if it were so in reality. Some per- 
sons are partially deranged, but not so ill as to need confine- 
ment; though restraint by persuasion may sometimes be 
necessary in order to their recovery. These need very careful 
and kind treatment. In cases where persons do not have 
judicious friends to take care of them, it may be well for them 
to be taken to an asylum ; but wherever they may be, the 
treatment should be kind and considerate. Every word and 
action has an effect, not only at the time, but even after they 
recover ; for this class of persons are often highly sensitive, 
and though for various reasons, they say nothing in reply to 
unkind words at the time, yet it is hard to forget such things 
altogether, and they sometimes wear upon one's mind and 
do them real injury long after the time has past. Entire for- 
giveness and forgetfulness of injuries is not always easy. 
Oh! let harsh or unkind language be entirely avoided to the 
sick, either in body or mind. Even when firmness is neces- 
sary, let it be administered gently. Let persons consider 
how if they had a dear friend ill, or were ill themselves, what 
kind of treatment they would like, and remember the golden 
rule, to do unto others as ye would that others should do 
unto you — Jesus' own command. 

There is one important thing bearing on health both of body 
and mind, which should not be overlooked ; it is that the 
patient should, if it be possible, kept free from perplexity 
about being a great cause of trouble and expense. Were 
this well understood, it would appear like good policy to do 
everything freely and cheerfully for the person, and never 
tell them it is very hard work to take care of them,- or that 
you cannot afford the expense of some kind of treatment. 



21 

Prudence may be advisable and necessary. Still, if perplex- 
ity can be avoided it will be better. And now one word of 
advice to sick patients themselves. If you find many obsta- 
cles in the way of pursuing any system of treatment try to 
give it up at once. It is better to be like a child, submissive 
to those who are over you for the time being, for quietness' 
sake, if nothing else. If you are worried and perplexed how 
your physician will get paid, you might almost as well not 
have any, for when the mind is agitated it hinders the effi- 
cacy of medicine, particularly in nervous diseases. Try to 
hope for the* best, and resign matters as far as possible into 
God's keeping. But remember in some diseases one cannot 
exercise patience and resignation, or at least as much as 
might be wished. Remember that God understands all 
things, though no one else does. Be patient with your own 
seeming impatience and want of composure. When you 
get well you will feel differently. It is the hope which a 
physician inspires which does as much good as the medicine ; 
so some physicians admit. Hope is a great help in all cases; 
but all cannot be hopeful without great encouragement; but 
they may be resigned. Sometimes one had better keep 
quiet, and not speak to any one or think much about their 
troubles. Prayer is always the greatest relief; but let it not 
be exciting or fatiguing ; a thought can reach to God's ear, 
and is sometimes all that is necessary. 

Another thing. We should not slight the requests of 
those partially deranged, if they be easily granted. We 
cannot tell what good effect a little thing will have on them. 
Never tell them they '^ could do better if they would try." 
Such persons usually think sufficiently ill of themselves; 
besides the very " trying to do better''^ may be only an addi- 
tional strain on the nervous system, which needs soothing 



99 

and repose. Each case is not alike ; a few possibly may need 
rousing io action; but we believe that in the most cases of 
partial insanity, or very bad cases of madness, soothing rem- 
edies and treatment are the only restoratives ; and medicine 
is of but little avail unless there be proper management and 
treatment. Whatever will sooth and give some pleasure 
will be beneficial, only not an excitjing kind of pleasure. Every 
pains should be taken to let the patient sleep when he can, 
and have undisturbed sleep. It is most important. The 
want of sufficient sleep often produces illness and partial in- 
sanity. Persons might be restored much sooner by judicious 
means, than is often the case. One thing more: never get 
angry with a person of this class for anything he may say. 
You may possibly misunderstand his meaning, and even 
if he be really angry, it is better not to notice it. It is not 
consistent to tell a person he is a lunatic, and yet be angry 
with him if he finds some fault with your treatment; nor to 
show anger by expostulating with him, when he means no 
harm, but perhaps is perfectly right. It does not look like 
wisdom, though it is often done. Remember a deranged 
person is always sick in some way ; though we see not the 
cause, THEY FEEL the difficulty.' In addition to the golden rule 
one text says, — "The strong should bear the infirmities of 
the weak." These principles should be practised towards 
all persons in a subordinate condition: children, servants, 
sick and aged persons : and reciprocally throng all the rela- 
tions of life and society. Rest assured that kindness will 
not lose its reward. The remembrance of it in our own con- 
sciences will be far pleasanter than the recollection of being 
arbitrary and severe. It is better to err on the side of mercy 
than on that of severity. We are all liable to err, even when 
well, and also liable to have such misfortunes befall us as 



23 



have come upon others. Jesus said, — " Blessed are the mer- 
ciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 



Go to some poor child distrest 

With pain or grief. 
Let his hand in thine be prest ; 

'Twill give relief. 

Pour on him the oil and wine 

0£ peace and love. 
Let thy face with goodness shine, 

Caught from above. 

Let thy works of love agree 
With what thou say'st. 

Give aid, if need there be, 
Of what thou mayst. 



Jesus, while he lived below, 

Food oft supplied ; 
For he knew with want and woe 

How men are tried. 

And he healed the sick and lame 
Who sought his aid ; 

To him even maniacs came, 
Nor were afraid. 

Then like him we'll live, and do 

All that we can 
To make others love him too 

Who died for man. 



THE SPIRIT'S TEACHINGS. 



" Thai was the true light that lighteth every man that cometh 
into the worlds — John, 1st, 9th. 

We have seen but few comments on this passage of re- 
vealed truth, yet it is well worthy of study by every one ; 
and here permit me to say that were persons of an inquiring 
cast of mind to consult and study the scriptures more than 
some of them do, various problems would be made plain to 
them, which now baffle their comprehension. The apostle 
Paul says, — "The heathen which have not the (revealed) 
law are a law unto themselves, their conscience approving 
or disapproving their conduct." A great man of this nation 
wrote in a letter to his son, — "Slight not the admonitions 
of conscience, for it is the vicegerent of God Almighty in 



24 

your soul, warning and directing you what is right and 
what is wrong. Obey your conscience, even should it lead 
you to offend kings." We do not say that conscience is the 
same as the Holy Spirit; but that it is the agent or minister 
of the Holy Spirit, is certain; and that it is of the same nature 
seems implied by our text. We know the heathen have not 
all been enlightened in regard to the true religion, — the 
nature of God and his requirements. Yet Paul says they 
were a law unto themselves, or, as might be said, had a law 
within themselves. 

Now, this inner-law conscience must be the same as is 
meant in the text by the light which lighteth every man 
which Cometh into the world. It is admitted that some wise 
heathens have been inspired with sentiments of a similar 
character with those taught in the divine law; but these 
men have been few in number. The mass of the people 
have not been thus enlightened; but they all have a con- 
science, warning them to do right so far as they know or are 
taught what is proper or improper. 

We might remark that those heathens who were in- 
spired, or enlightened more than others, were in all proba- 
bility men who gave heed to what they already knew, and 
obeyed the dictates of conscience concerning things in which 
they had been instructed previous to their peculiar enlight- 
enment. It can only be the conscience which which is oper- 
ated upon or enlightened by the Holy Spirit, for other things 
we must learn by observation or instruction from other sour- 
ces. We do not of course mean to comprehend those who 
are called to prophesy, or some peculiar individuals, but the 
generality of mankind. 

Animals are taught many things, as well as men. Bad 
men become great scholars sometimes ; yet surely they are 



25 

not taught by the Holy Spirit in the manner in which this 
term is usually understood. 

We think that the Holy Spirit operates on the conscience, 
or on the mind through the conscience ; and whenever we dis- 
obey the warnings of conscience, we grieve the Holy Spirit. 
It has been said that the conscience must be instructed. It 
seems to me this is a mistake in terms, for conscience can only 
act in accordance with what we know. If by observation we 
know that certain kinds of liquors or spirits produce bad 
efiects, unless used moderately, conscience will warn us to 
use them sparingly; but if poisonous fruit be presented in 
a manner which excites no suspicion of intended harm, con- 
science cannot act here at all, for it has no knowledge to act 
upon. We often partake of fruits which are new to us upon 
the recommendations of others. It is sometimes said "When 
little is given but little will be required." This seems to be 
something the way that it is with conscience. 

It is said if one disobeys conscience repeatedly, it gradu- 
ally loses hold on the person, and at last ceases to admonish 
him at all. Let us try to illustrate this. When a parent 
has an unruly son, he may on some occasions refrain from 
reproving him for his own feelings' sake, as he fears it will be 
useless. But he cannot entirely withhold reproof while the 
child lives with him, even if it be only by his silence, and 
withholding his approval of his son's conduct. Now, though 
one may stifle his conscience to a certain degree by combat- 
ing its reproofs, and, by the force of a strong will and strong 
passions, do wickedly in spite of its remonstrance, this does 
not prove that it is dead ; it is a hard principle to kill. Many 
a man lives a most wretched life, by doing violence to his 
conscience; and though apparently gay and lively, he may 
be unable to bear his own thoughts when alone ; and is forced 
into boisterous life to keep from thinking. Others get along 



26 

better than tliis, and by a variety of things which employ 
their thoughts, they delude themselves into forgetfulness of 
their highest duties. Let us here ask who would wish to do 
what he himself cannot approve, and thus become his own 
continual accuser. One may deceive others, but cannot 
wholly deceive himself. The apostle speaks to Timothy 
(4th, 2d) of some who had their conscience seared with a 
hot iron. On reading the context we see that it is false reli- 
gious teachers who are meant here, men whom God has utter- 
ly cast off and "given up to a delusion, that they may be- 
lieve a lie and be damned, who had pleasures in unright- 
eousness." This is a terrible state to fall into. God has 
withdrawn his Holy Spirit. The conscience is said to 
be seared with hot iron, which goes to prove that conscience 
is the agent of the Spirit. The man is now like a child 
thrust out of his father's house as unworthy of a place by 
the family hearthstone. He has no more warning- ; but is so 
fiercely beset with evil companions that he is completely 
ruined. We will do well to be careful, and not slight the 
admonitions of conscience, but love them as coming from 
our best Friend, for truly this is so. It is God himself who 
thus warns us in order to keep us from harm. 

We admit that the Holy Spirit sometimes illuminates and 
enlightens the mind in a manner different from the operations 
of conscience ; but this will not apply to the meaning of our 
text, w4iich refers to that which every man hath given him. 
Revelations are sometimes given in dreams or visions, and 
by direct impressions; they are peculiar to a few good men — 
doubtless those who have obeyed the admonitions of con- 
science, and who love to commune with God, and work 
righteousness. The Spirit descended in the shape of a dove 
and rested on the Savior on an interesting occasion. Clov- 
en tongues of fire lighted on the apostles at the great day of 



27 

Pentecost, — fitting emblem of the work they were to do on 
that day, when men from all nations were assembled togeth- 
er. These were peculiar manifestations, and do not belong 
to every man. 

Section Second. — We will close the argument here, and 
now admonish all to see to it that they grieve not the Holy 
Spirit by doing violence to their consciences. Alas ! how 
often do even professing Christians do this ! Some are can- 
did enough to acknowledge they do not attempt to do ac- 
cording to conscience ; but if feelings lead them to be benev- 
olent, or kind, or to wish to pray or go to church, then they 
do these things ; and some even say if the feelings are not 
in the service rendered, it is not required. Alas ! alas ! 
where are the precepts for this manner of living ? Must not 
our whole life be spent, if necessary, in struggling to over- 
come feelings that are not in accordance with pify? If we 
would be Christians, we are to overcome the world, the flesh, 
and the devil. We must crucify the world and its allure- 
ments. So the apostle commands. But we manage won- 
derfully to get over these precepts without practising them, 
and yet claim the name of religious people. 

We know that by faith in Christ we can overcome all 
things opposed to him ; and that faith works by love and 
purifies the heart. For by degrees we become so deeply in- 
fluenced by the spirit that was in Christ, by loving him and 
thinking much about him, that it becomes far easier to leave 
all other things for his service than for a woman to leave her 
father's house — her mother's guardian care, and go with a 
husband to cheer his pathway in life. 

It may be said that when men are properly under the in- 
fluence of the Holy Spirit, they will do just right from feel- 
ings or impulses without thinking of duty or conscience. 
Yes, this is so ; but most men have sometimes a conference 



28 

or struggle with conscience, previous to getting under the 
Spirit's influence completely, and some, alas! struggle again 
and again. When completely under the dominion of the 
Holy Spirit, it gives us such feelings that many things seem 
no longer hard to do, or to bear ; yet occasionally little acts 
of self-denial are necessary to prove our love and subjection 
to Christ. If things were all to our liking there could be no 
obedience on our part. It was Abraham's obedience which 
won for him such high advantages. A pious lady once said 
that in her domestic life, when a question of business oc- 
curred, and her husband advised a different course from what 
she deemed proper, she found that when she yielded to his 
advice it always "turned out better in the end" than had 
she done according to her own wisdom. God has laid down 
many precepts for the well-being of individuals and of soci- 
ety ; and^mong others, that of obeying those who have the 
charge over us. When, therefore, we obey them we obey 
him. And obedience is the highest duty. 

In cases where conscience with the aid of the Bible is 
our only lawgiver, let us be careful not to grieve it by diso- 
bedience, for we are then under God's immediate supervi- 
sion. He is our King, our Father and Master. He speaks to 
us through the conscience, for the Holy Spirit (it seems to 
the writer) must be God himself in some sense. 

This is is a solemn thought that God thus speaks to us. 
He communicates to us in a variety of ways. 

There are some things said about the gifts of the Spirit 
which we will not discuss ; this belongs to the nature of su- 
perior influences. 

Good men among the Jews, from the commencement of 
their history, were occasionally enlightened by the Spirit. 

In this dispensation one might suppose we should be pecul- 
iarly under the guidance of the Spirit in some way, for we have 



29 

no open vision, angel, or prophet,''5o tell us when to do things 
or leave them undone. Perhaps we should not make war at 
all, as being contrary to the spirit of the gospel. 

This is to be observed, that if we want the influence of 
the Holy Spirit more than we have, and its teachings to aid 
us, and show us our duty, let us be sure to obey the precepts 
given in the New Testament, and also in the old book, 
wherever we can apply them to ourselves. Let these 
writings be to us as capital in money, which we are to use 
to the best advantage ; and by turning it over, though the 
words do not increase in numbers, a clearer appreciation and 
understanding of them will necessarily come, and when these 
fail to guide us right, be assured if we earnestly ask for en- 
lightenment, or rather to be guided right, we shall be led 
right. But it is absolutely necessary, if we can read and 
do know the precepts of the Bible, that we obey them im- 
plicitly; lest if we seek for more light while slighting what 
is already given, we have something revealed to us of an 
unpleasant nature. God may not be trifled with. Obedi- 
ence is his first law. 

In difHcult cases, pious persons often ask to be led or 
guided right, even though they see not the way. This is 
faith and trust. We trust a faithful guide over paths un- 
known to us. "Why may we not then trust to God, who know- 
eth all things, and can do all things? Only have our hearts 
and purposes right; the rest can with safety be left to him. 

We believe that if we faithfully obey the commands of 
God, and the dictates of conscience in coimection with 
them, and live closely to GJod, and come often into his inner 
presence, by degrees we will receive clearer views of many 
things than ordinary minds possess. There is nothing won- 
derful in this. Sonic minds seem hardly cajiable of grent 



30 

enlightening; yet deep pit^ will produce wonderful efTects. 
Some unlearned persons, such as slaves, and those who could 
not read, have, after their conversion, been taught the spirit 
of the gospel in a wonderful degree ; and their spiritual ex- 
ercises have been such that we doubt not but that God real- 
ly communed with them by his Spirit in a peculiar manner. 
He is able to make up for deficiencies caused by things be- 
yond our control. 

When a mind is engrossed on one subject it cannot think 
well on another. If one's mind is on dress and gayety, or 
things wholly worldly in their nature, he will not pray to 
God about them, nor will he always take time to pray much 
for other things. People should take time to pray much and 
earnestly, and tliink to God as well as pray to him. The 
more one thinks of the realities of a future life, and of religious 
matters, the more his mind expands in them, and a greater 
clearness, knowledge and wisdom, must come from the work- 
ings of his own mind as well as from communing with God. 
When we draw near a mother we feel Iter influence, or the 
influence of our feelings towards her, even though she speaks 
not to us. Thus when we draw near to God, the influence 
of our knowledge of his character, and our own feelings to- 
wards him, must produce certain effects, even if there be no 
communication in return. Much of what some suppose to 
be the operation of the Spirit is but the workings of the 
mind. Yet it may be as valuable as if it were a direct rev- 
elation. Why should we not exercise our faculties for think- 
ing, as well as those for walking, in order to strengthen 
them ? This is in accordance with the teachings in the 
Psalms. God gave us our thinking powers. They are, as it 
were, a part of himself. Everything we possess is from 
him. The Spirit does operate on the mind, as well as on 



the heart. But here is the principal thing. If the Spirit op- 
erate so powerfully on the heart that evil is subdued, ajid we 
begin to love God so well that we love everybody else for 
his sake, and are ready to practise any kind of self-denial 
for his sake, then our minds will do very well. 

Oh, reader! will it not be well to inquire, "Is my heart so 
influenced by the Holy Spirit that I love every person for 
the love I have for God, and am ready to do anything to 
prove my love and obedience to hira ?" 

There are cases among certain classes, where persons of 
peculiar nervous temperaments become excited to a great de- 
gree ; and they think this is the operation of the Spirit. 
When persons inquire solemnly what they should do in 
order to be saved, the Spirit is at work; but when they fall 
down in a seeming trance, or seem terribly excited, it seems 
more like the power of intense feeling, and sometimes of a 
diseased nervous system. The Spirit does nothing but what 
is useful and proper, for a wise purpose ; and well would it 
sometimes be to let it finish its work by the help of the New 
Testament alone, rather than by giving advice which God 
never commanded should be given. When the terrified peo- 
ple asked the apostles " What shall I do to be saved ?" the 
answer was simply " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," and 
they were baptized immediately ; but this may seem out of 
place here. 

We now say to those who desire a great portion of the 
power of the Spirit on their minds, to live close to God by 
prayer, and meditate on religious subjects, as King David 
did. Neglect no present opportunity of doing good, if only 
to an animal, or some very vile person, or of self-denial for 
religion's sake. And here permit a remark which belonged in 
another place. If a command be for the benefit of society 



. 32 

at large, though it interfere with us individually, should we 
not yield something willingly, rather than wish a change for 
our own benefit ? Endeavor to obey God's commands from 
love and respect to him. Then you will feel the power of 
the Spirit, though perhaps not in the way you wish. God's 
presence and favor may seem to be enough to you, and to 
lie at his feet your highest delight. He may not give you 
a great work to perform, but try your obedience in being 
submissive to his will. Lose no chance of doing good ; if 
you help any person you are doing an angel's work. Paul 
considered it better to be able to assist and edify the church 
by plain preaching, than if he had the gift of tongues. The 
highest gift is that which enables one to be most useful. 

Of necessity we have made this essay longer than is desir- 
able; yet we again urge all to obey God's commands, and 
not grieve his Spirit by doing what they know is wrong. 
This brings us back to our starting-point. It has been sup- 
posed by some to be the unpardonable sin — this sin of wil- 
fulness, or doing what is contrary to known duty, and yet 
how many do this again and again I 

We recommend all to read the 4th chapter of Hebrews 
very carefully, and the 4th of John also carefully, with regard 
to this subject, and now conclude hi the language of the 
Psalmist, " Create in me a clean heart, oh God I and renew 
a right spirit within me." 



33 
THE PEOPER USE OF TALENTS. 

^'•Then came the firsts sai/ing, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten 
pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant ; 
because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou au- 
thority over ten cities.^^ — Luke, 19th ; 16th, 17th. 

"Happy, happier far than thou, 
With the laurel on thy brow, 
She who makes the humblest hearth 
Lovely but to one on earth." — Ilemans. 

We should ever feel grateful to our Creator, for all the bless- 
ings we enjoy, especially for those superior endowments which 
command respect and admiration from the world. But not 
only should we be thankful for these gifts, but should also 
remember that we are under obligations to make good use 
of what powers we possess ; and our prayer should be for the 
influence of the Holy Spirit to direct us how to improve them 
in a manner most profitable to ourselves and others. We 
should sometimes inquire seriously into our hearts, and ex- 
amine our manner of living and doing, and see if we could 
not yet do something more for the glory of God and the good 
of our fellow-men. 

Each individual has some duties to perform in life ; and it 
is much more meritorious to make a good use of even small 
capabilities, than to be in possession of splendid talents, and 
yet neglect to use them in a manner which will call forth the 
approbation of the Giver. 

From our Savior's teaching, we learn that to whom much 
is given, of him much is required; and also, he that hath but 
one talent confided to his keeping, is as culpable in hiding it, 
as if five or ten had been committed to him, and he had hid- 
den them all Still, according to one'.-> means of usefulness. 



34 

and the amount of influence he has over others, whether by 
position, or wealth, or talents of any kind, it would seem that 
in a future period he will feel more pungent remorse for wast- 
ing this influence, or directing it in a wrong channel, than if 
he had been some less gifted or less fortunate person. Ac- 
cording to one's powers of mind is his capability of deep 
feeling ; and when death is near, or when before the bar of 
God, every action of one's life may come up in review ; 
and painful will it be to reflect on a misspent life and 
wasted privileges and opportunities for usefulness, when 
it will be too late to recall them, and no more can be 
granted. 

It is not enough to do no harm in the world. Idleness is 
wastefulness — wasting the precious boon of time, which we 
might almost say even God cannot restore again. Living as 
we do in a land of books and among industrious people, and 
we might add, ambitious people, we have every incentive to be 
industrious in some way, if only for our credit's sake while 
in this world, and the desire to leave an honorable name be- 
hind us when we die. No indolent man or woman ever became 
honorable, though they have often been born heirs to wealth 
and position. To make one's self a name is worth a number 
of inherited titles, even of the highest class. Though a good 
name is the greatest earthly honor to be desired, yet the favor 
of God is still greater, and he will surely bestow it on the 
diligent man, providing his efforts are directed to proper and 
right purposes. We might observe that a good name will 
extend to eternity ; such a name as every one really washes 
he had, even though he be unwilling to work for it. We may 
all have a good name by working for it, or in a way which 
will bring it ; but not by idleness, or by perverting our means 
of doing good to that of doing evil. 



35 

It is painful to think how it often occurs that the choicest 
gifts are perverted to ignoble uses, and to objects which tend 
to injury rather than good. The fine arts, painting and music 
are sometimes brought into requisition to lure the unwary 
into the paths which lead to destruction. 

Even poetry, which like music seems almost a divine gift, 
is also often abused by degrading it to unholy compositions, 
which, instead of elevating and inspiring men to high and 
holy purposes, serve to fasten the chains of vice more closely 
upon them. 

What a different aspect would this world present, if the 
fine arts were never used but for the glory of God, and the 
proper enjoyment and elevation of society I 

There are some jealous-minded persons, who, like the man 
mentioned in the parable, feel that because they are deficient 
in many things, they are under no obligation to do anything 
more than what they cannot avoid doing. This is a mistak- 
en idea ; but it may be that one is sometimes excusable for 
this feeling, for we sometimes see persons with the very best 
feelings and intentions in the world passed lightly by, for no 
particular fault. They are even allowed to be pious ; but then 
they are not found to command influence, and therefore they 
remain neglected. Now when those who have some hidden 
talent or ambition are thus treated, it sometimes causes them 
to feel discouraged, and to consider themselves as useless 
beings in the world. 

In thinking about the opinion of the world, w^e arc too apt 
to forget God's opinion, and that he can judge more correct- 
ly than men or women can. 

No matter what is our station in life, only let us do our 
duty in that station. If a servant, try to give satisfaction to 
rjiu employers, and let us watch for opportunities of doing 



36 

good to some one, it may be a child or some poor person. 
Can we teach some one to read, or by giving them a book 
give them a taste for reading ? Little things sometimes pro- 
duce great results. 

Honor and shame from no condition rise. 
Act well your part ; there all the honor lies. 

St. Paul said, Is a man called, being a slave ? let him not 
be troubled about it. God will never punish a man for hav- 
ing a black face, or for being born in China or Patagonia. 
It is only his manner of conducting himself according to 
whatever amount of instruction he has received, be it but 
very little, or a great deal. A man will not be punished for 
not knowing how to read the Bible, providing he has no chance 
of learning; but he who can read it, and yet slights its in- 
structions, on him lies the penalty for neglecting to read it, 
and obey its precepts. 

There are some duties v/hich some unwise people are apt 
to think lightly of, because they are common. This is an- 
other mistake. Common duties arc more useful, perhaps, 
than the more striking gifts. 

Domestic duties are of the highest importance. Whatever 
will tend to promote comfort, and give pleasure to those to 
whom we are united in life, or who are in some way con- 
nected with us, everything we do has some effect upon others. 
Neither can we neglect common duties without withholding 
from others what is due to them from us. We do not all 
sufficiently think of these things ; and some who even think 
of them do not enough put them into practice in every-day 
life. How often are there unpleasant words because a gar- 
ment has not been put in readiness for the owner to wear I 
This is one of the little things; yet little things make up a 



37 

great part of many persons' lives. A gentleman who had re- 
cently lost his wife, while lamenting her loss and speaking 
in her praise, observed that while she lived he never found 
an article of clothing out of order in any way ; everything 
was kept in readiness for use. A pious, good woman said 
she always set a chair out for her husband when he returned 
home in the evening, the same as if he were a visitor. 
Would that all persons were as thoughtful about all little 
things I Yet this woman went about doing good in the city 
where she lived, to a great extent. She found time for home 
duties, and also for walks of usefulness. Dear reader, if 
thou be a woman, try to make thy home a happy one to 
those who are with thee. If a man deigns to read this com- 
monplace advice, let me say to him. Try to make those de- 
pendent on thee happy, and yet proud of thy relationship to 
them. If thou indulgest them in w^rong pleasures, this will 
not be the case. No ! thou must command their esteem by 
firmness in the right-f both for thyself and them, and yet win 
their love by kind words and deeds. Children ! your duty 
has been written by the finger of God upon a tablet of stone. 
We can only copy it : — 

Obey your parents, that thy days may be long on the land 
which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 

The Savior once gave a woman a most desirable ap- 
proval of her conduct on a certain occasion in these words, 
" She hath done what she could." Oh that this could be 
said of the writer of this article, and of those who may read 
it ! Let us try for the future to do what we can, that at last 
we may receive the welcome plaudit. Well done, good and 
faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. 



38 
THE TRIAL OF THE WOMAN. 

John 8tii. 

The Sim rose in dazzling splendor, gilding 
The points of that fair city, whose palaces, 
Rich with ornament, lavishly gave forth 
The rays like molten gold. One structure there, 
Whose architect was God, outshone the rest 
In purity of style, and perfectness ; 
The plan was drawn upon the sacred mount, 
While he who was the chief in Israel's camp 
Was there alone with God. 

Long weary years 
Of trial had elapsed, and many kings 
And towns had fallen before an army, 
Whose chief in office was the Lord of Hosts, 
Ere came the time when Salem's heights were won 
By Judah's king. The site once gained, all else 
Was furnished soon ; — wealth, genius, skill and men 
From distant Tyre ; the gold and precious stones. 
Those brought in ships from regions far away. 
But most, the kings were filled with strong desire 
To execute so great and vast a work. 
In its design a dwelli?ig-place fo?' God. 
It was the home and pride of all the realm ; 
The tribes who lived remote assembled here 
To oiFer sacrifice. Their capitol 
It was, and dearer far to them than those 
Which other nations reared. 

For here they came 
To meet with One who made and who destroyed 
Kings for their sake. Alas ! it soon became 
An envied object to those Pagan kings 
Who only sought its wealth. Had they but sought 
To know its living Founder, and had served 
Him in their hearts, they would have had a place 
To worship in his temple. 

Thither came. 
Early on that fair morn, the rightful Heir 
Of Zion's King, to offer up devotions 



39 



Ujx)!! tliat sacred altar, and to teach, 
Til words of glowing energy, the truths 
Which were reserved for him to publish first. 
This was his public office, where the poor 
Might feast their eyes on him till they forgot 
Their poverty. The lame and blind were led 
Up to be healed. No fee was brought, nor price 
For costly balms. Ah, no I his medicines 
Were ne'er distilled in close laboratory. 
With care and scientific skill. He pored 
Not over volumes written by men of fame, 
To learn what was in man, or how to heal 
His deepest wounds. " Believest thou," he said, 
" That I have power to grant this, thy request?" 
*' Lord, I believe ; help thou mine unbelief," 
The patient meekly answers. Then a prayer. 
Inward, for strength, — a look, and then he saitli, 
Thy faith hath made thee whole ; go now in peace. 

But on that morn some other scenes transpired 
Within those costly walls ; — the master there, 
But all unknown to those who filled the seats 
Of highest office ; their eyes were blinded ; 
They saw not in the unshorn Nazarene 
The lineaments of their long-promised king. 
Though of the royal line, his friends were poor, 
His garments course and plain, his look care-worn 
From grieving o'er the ills he could not help ; 
Which things comported not with regal sway. 

Among the crowd which now assembled there, 
To see, and hear, and to converse, were friends ; 
An inner circle they, who then had some 
Conceptions of his mission. Yet from these 
He still concealed how rugged were the steps 
By which he should ascend to David's throne ; — 
Ay, higher, higher far, — the throne of him 
Who is the Eternal One. 

He sought not 
A seat o'erlaid with gold, which might ere long 
Again be stript, nor costly chariots 
Of cunning work and beautiful design, — 
Not these ; he sought an empire in tlie hearts 



40 



Of men, by love and pity, choice weapons 
With which to pierce even to the inmost son]. 
The wings of faith and hope were chariots 
Fitting- for him, who made and led the way 
To heaven and to God. 

While giving light 
To those who sought to know the way of hfe, 
Suddenly he paused. They who had feasted on 
His words with gladdened hearts, with sorrow turned 
To see a company of Pharisees 
And scribes, forcing their way up to the midst, 
Leading with them a woman. Soon the chief, 
In words of wisdom well arranged, explains : 
•' Master, this woman hath done wrong ; her guilt 
Is manifest ; and Moses' law enjoins 
That such should die by being btoned. What theii 
Sayest thou?" He bowed, retiring back, with pride 
Supprest, then unaware hov/ he had sought 
Advice of all most legal. 

Jesus sat 
Upon an elder's chair ; the raised pavement 
Of purer stone kept back the crowd who watched 
Anxiously all his movements. He stooped down 
And with his finger wrote upon the floor, 
As though he heard them not. They asked again. 
In tones more honest and sincere. He raised 
Himself and said, " He that among you all 
Is free from sin, let him first cast a stone." 
Wonder and awe then seized the mind of all. 
And conscience, ever truthful friend when sought. 
Reminded them of some unpleasant things, 
Which they had fain forgot. 

He stooped again, 
As if he would shut out the spectacle ; 
The day of judgment had not come, nor wished 
He to forestall it. His thoughts went upwards, 
Begging for patient strength. He lifted up 
Himself again, and lo ! a different scene 
Met his observant eye. The outer court 
Was empty ; the vast throng which lately pressed 
Close on each other now had shrunk away 
Before his sentence, leaving the woman 



41 

Standing alone. Jesus, with compassion 
Kinglike in his look, said to her, "Woman, 
Whither are thine accusers gone ? Hath none 
Condemned thee ?" She softly answered, "Neman, 
Lord." Then in a voice kind thongh firm, he said, 
"Neither do I condemn thee. Sin no more." 

Susan Ckey. 



MUSINGS ON THE DEPARTED. 

Where are they now — the friends, who once were here, 

And who were wont to clasp us in their arms 

As if they would be one with us? Whither, 

Ah ! whither are they fled ? No answer comes 

With words of cheer to our o'er-anxious thoughts, 

Save what is found on page of holy writ 

To this import, — that if while here they lived 

To God, and loved to come into his courts. 

And sought his inner presence as a child 

Runs to his mother, and, leaning his head 

Upon her breast, tells her his little griefs. 

And then for gets them; all his pleasures too 

He gladly pours into her willing ear. 

Enjoying them still more that she of them 

Partakes ; — if thus our friends have leaned on God, 

In firm and holy trust, feeling in truth 

He was their Father, and their firmest Friend, 

Then, O ! then we know that now they're resting 

Quietly, or in his higher presence they're 

Uniting with the throng of those who sing, 

"Worthy the Lamb who loved us, and who died 

That we might live, and reign with him on high." 

If alone they've sought for this world's praise, 

And were afraid to come to God for help. 

As if he were a tyrant, we must leave 

Them now with him who we know cannot err. 



42 

Are they unconscious in their silent sleep ? 
Or as we take our lonely walks and meet 
With disappointments, do they sympathize 
With our sad thoughts ? We would they always knew 
When we did right ; 'twould pleasure give to feel 
Their look of approbation. But our cares 
From them we fain would hide, lest it should cause 
Them grief to know we were afflicted here. 

Their bodies moulder in the gray, cold earth, 
And turn again to those rude elements 
From which man first was made into a form 
So beautiful and fair, — the crowning work 
Of the Creator's art. 

Perchance they fell 
Into the deep, dark sea, where none can mark 
The spot where last they breathed a sigh, nor none 
Can tell of their deep anguish in that hour 
When death was nigh. Ah I well, now let us turn 
To him on whom to lean is bliss, in whom 
Our hopes all centre, and from whom they spring. 
The tears that flow from death's heart-chilling stroke, 
He'll wipe away. For he will bring the souls 
Of kindred minds to meet again ere long ; 
To join the feast upon that mountain- top 
Where he has said he will destroy the veil 
That now o'erspreads the nations, and where all 
His enemies will be consumed, and death, 
The last, he'll swallow up in victory I 



LINES SUGGESTED BY A PORTRAIT. 



Beautiful lady ! what knowest thou now 
More than we who yet wear habihments 



*Tl)e portrait of a lady belonging to the French court, which represents 
her wearing a plume of feathers, and holding a golden goblet iu her hand. 



43 



TeiTcstial ? Where art tliou ? in company 

With the good and great ? This we fain would liope. 

Thy dress and mein — the lofty plumage, meant 

For ornament at some high festival 

Or court levee — the golden cup, encircled 

By thy jewelled hand, far too plainly show 

Thou lovedst the pleasures of earth full well. 

Yet, still, we trust, when death's dark missive, saying, 

"Prepare thyself; the King of Kings now calls 

Thee to his presence chamber," came to thee, 

Thou found'st forgiveness through a Savior's blood. 

Shall we thy features scan ? A spirit there 

Of mirth and pride we trace, with feelings too 

Of kindliness. 

But what is in that cup ? 
Does it enhance thy mirth? Alas ! we fear 
It surely does. To thee it might have seemed 
Naught else but fitting. Perchance thou wert all 
Unconscious of one wrong intent. Farewell ! 
We love thee more than when at first we looked 
Upon thy picture ; pity hath taken up 
The place of censure, — highest grace in us 
Poor mortals, seeing we all are erring. 
O charity divine I come make our breast 
Thy constant dwelling-place, that we may hope 
The best of all, nor e'er condemn lest we 
Should meet with the same rigor from our Judge. 



A PRAYER, OR HYMN OF PRAYER. 

Oh thou to whom all people come 

For help in time of need I 
O I please in pity hear our prayer, 

Which we before thee plead. 

Thy power and greatness, Lord, we own, 
But not enough to fear ' 



44 

Thy precepts and commands to break, 
Although thou art so near. 

Contrition is the only plea 

Which we ourselves can bring. 
The past we cannot now recall, 

Though keen remorse may sting. 

Nor can we tell thee an excuse 

But what thou well dost know. 
Please save us, Lord, by sovereign grace, 

While we before thee bow. 

Our weaknesses and helplessness 

Are both well known to thee. 
Oh Lord I in mercy haste to bless, 

And pardon ere we die. 

Thy Son a sacrifice has made 

Of his own flesh and blood, 
To save us from the stains of sin, 

So we might come to God. 

Then for his sake, Lord, please forgive, 

And thy good spirit pour 
Upon us in profusion here, 

That we may grieve no more. 

1856, November \st. J. F. A. 



TO ELDER AND LADY ON LEAVING 

NEW YORK, 1846. 

Farewell, dear friends I and where you go, 
May hope and joy your path illume. 

May every blessing round you flow, 
Till you draw near the silent tomb. 

Though clouds and shadows have beset 
Part of your stay, while with us here. 



45 



You have those trials nobly met, 
And faith has silenced every fear. 

Go where you will, may brighter days 

And calmer evenings be you lot. 
With thousands may you join in praise, 

To whom the " Way of Life" you've taught. 

May numbers flock to hear the word 

Proclaimed by you to dying men, 
Who while they live shall bless the Lord, 

That e'er he sent you unto them. 

And when the close of life is near, 

Serenely shine your setting sun. 
May angels whisper, " Do not fear ; 

You soon shall see your Father's home," 

And from the Judge of all the earth 
May each receive a righteous crown, 

Bestud with gems of priceless worth, 
Whose splendor shall outshine the sun. 



PRAYER. 



Father of Mercies I draw me close to thee, 

For safety and shelter from earthly ills. 

From myself, from sin, and from the reacli 

Of the enemy, save, oh ! save, in times 

Of fear and death. When darkness hovers o'er 

My spirits like a pall, and in the storm , 

Whence'er it comes, be thou my tower of strength. 

AVhen conflicts that distract my mind come on, 

Wisdom from Heaven bestow. When I err 

In judgment, wilt thou then excuse ; and when 

Thuu callest me hence, O I may my task be done, 

Though but imperfectly. My failures here 

In mercy overlook. My deeper stains 

Wash out in the rich blood of him who came 

To do thy will in all things [)erlbctly. 



47 



OBEDIENCE. 

Obedience is Heaven's first law, is the principle I wish to 
ce.non^trate. Thougli I observed on the walls of a large school 
house in New York, the sentiment in large letters, '• Order is 
lie iven's first la;v," and ihough those who established that insti- 
tution were wise men, yet I think it would have been better for 
them to have used the word Obedience, instead of Order, in that 
place. It may be said that G-od bad set the planetary world in 
order, before he even made man, or gave him laws. True, but we 
have nothing practical in common with them. The sun and the 
earth are governed by fixed laws, from which they have no power 
to deviate. 

The chains which bind us, or which should keep us in the paths 
of duty, arc very different : we have the power to choose and do 
either good or evil, Promises and threats are both constantly 
used, in order to lead us to seek the one and forsake the other. 
Everything which God could do to prevent us from sinning, or to 
save us from our sins, he has devised and done, that would be con- 
sistent with leaving us in possession of free-will or free-agency, and 
of individual responsibility. Obedience to his commands ensures 
happiness, — disobedience brings upon us suffering and disgrace. 
Obedience is one of the most important words in the Bible. I 
have known persons to seek out all the places in the Bible where 
a certain word occurred, and read all that is written connected 
with it at each place. It might be useful to trace out some ten or 
twenty places, where the words obey, obedience, disobey, disobedL 
ence, occur, and read what belongs to them, and meditate upon it 
carefully. 

" For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so 
by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous," is a most 
important passage. The disobedience of our first parents brought 
upon them great and bitter trials. This subject is the theme of 
one of the greatest poems which was ever written. Their disobe- 
dience, with its consequences, rendered the death of the Son of 



48 

God necessary to atone for those evils ; and by His obedience, 
even to suffering a painful and disgraceful death, bring in for us 
everlasting righteousness. 

But, I must leave this, the highest of all themes, and come 
more particularly to the duty of obedience towards parents and 
superiors. To return then to the sentiment, ObeJience is Heav- 
en's first law to man. Obedience is necessary to the preservation 
of order. In the family, in the school, and in all the affairs of 
public life belonging to the state obedience to certain persons and 
laws, are absolutely necessary that any degree of order can be 
maintained. 

The fifth commandment says, " Honor thy Father and thy 
Mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord 
thy God giveth thee." This is the first and the only command- 
ment with a promise attached ; which promise conveys the idea, 
that if we yield proper respect and obedience to our parents, we 
will be rewarded with many blessings in this life ; but if we neg- 
lect or disobey them, it may be our own lives will be cut off, or 
some heavy calamity will befall us. 

One thing is certain, we can break no command of God, without 
suffering the proper degree of punishment according to the cir- 
cumstances in the case. We may not always perceive that certain 
evils come upon us in consequence of our having transgressed ; we 
are apt to attribute them to bad luck or accident ; mischance of 
some kind ; forgetting there i^ a wise and powerful Governor at 
the helm of affairs, who manages all these matters, and that in re- 
ality there is no such thing as chance. I once read a story found- 
ed on the following sentiment : When any accident happens, if 
it be in consequence of a good act, then it will turn out well ; but 
if it happen in consequence of a wrong act, then it may turn out 
ill. But sometimes accidents happen without our seeming to do 
anything good or evil ; we must then consider them as coming in 
the order of God's Providence, and be resigned. In such cases, 
it may do no hurt to look closely over our past feelings, and see 
if we have not indulged in wrong thoughts oli some occasion, 



49 

wlilch may be ilie causo why God Las permitted the ainlutlon to 
befall us. We admit that trials are needed for discipline ; but we 
must return to our subject. In order to insure good to ourselves 
and our families, if possible, we should endeavor to obey all th^ 
commands of God as well as we can; and if children wish to 
rise to eminence and respectability, let them honor and obey their 
parents. 

It is recorded of Gen. George "Washington, that when quite 
young, he set out to go to sea in a British ship of war, but at his 
mother's desire, he relinquished his own wishes and gave up going. 
Shall we ask any one, was he rewarded for this act of filial obedi- 
ence ? William Ellery Channing, one of the best men who ever 
lived, yielded strict obedience to his mother's wishes, even in a 
matter wherein he felt that she acted unwisely ; however, he had 
the satisfaction of a good conscience, which of itself is always a 
great reward. 

It may be well to remember that the fifth commandment, " Hon- 
or thy father," &c , stands side by side with the sixth, which says 
" Thou shalt not kill." Here, we ask, why is it that the sixth and 
eighth commandments are sustained by human laws in every na- 
tion, while the third, fourth, fifth, and tenth, are not thus sustained, 
and some of them, in many instances, not minded very much. 

Let us remember that when God wrote on a stone tablet 
" Thou shalt not kill," He also wrote " Honor thy father," &c. •' 
" Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day ; " " Thou shalt 
not take the name of the Lord thy G"od in vain ; " " Thou shalt 
not covet." In the New Testament, the command to children, to 
obey their parents in all things, is repeated ; wives are command- 
ed to submit themselves to their husbands as to the Lord ; ser- 
vants to obey their masters, not with eye-service or deceitfully, but 
as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 

One passage reads, " And let the wife see that she reverence 
her husband.'' I have read an interesting stof^ in connection 
with this passage. A lady told it at a meeting of ladies. She 
stated that when slit; left her parcnttil home, slie took with her to 



60 

lier husband's house, a favorite cat. and that her husband had a 
(.'og, to which, for some important reason, he was much attached. 
This dog felt that he had the privilege of every part of his mas- 
ter's house ; even to lying on the parlor hearth-rug ; but this 
became pussy's favorite place, and her mistress felt annoyed that 
she should have to leave it for the dog. Unfortunately, this lady 
allowed herself to get very much worried, because the dog was so 
familiar in the rooms ; she said, ■' he would destroy their Wilton 
carpets," — "eat them out of house and home," &c. 

"While her mind was in this state, one Sunday morning she was 
reading in her own room, when her attention was arrested by the 
admonition, " Let the wife see that she reverence her husband.'- 
She considered her own course of conduct ; was she reverencing 
her husband in her treatment of the animal to which he was at- 
tached ? She felt that she was not ; and like a wise woman, re- 
solved on amendment. She immediately went inro the room 
where her husband was reading, with the dog beside him watching 
him closely. Sometimes, the lady said, she had been almost jeal- 
ous of the dog, because her husband did not make him keep out of 
doors, or in the kitchen, to please her ; but now, when she went 
up to him, and patted him kindly, saying, " Good Jowler, are you 
helping your master to read ? " Her husband was so much pleas- 
ed, that he drew her upon his knee, and gave her such an affec- 
tionate look as he had never bestowed upon Jowler. She now felt 
richly repaid for well-doing. Years passed by, and when a little 
child came there to stay, Jowler would lie by the cradle and watch 
it while sleeping,^eaving pussy in possession of the hearth-rug. 
Sometimes a handkerchief was tied around the infant, and Jowler 
by this means could carry it round the house. On a certain even- 
ing, this gentleman and lady were returning from a short visit 
with their little boy with them : but a little baby-girl had been 
left at home with a nurse. On approaching their dwelling, they 
observed it was on fire, though burning but slowly. Fearing to 
open the door lest the air shou'd fan the flames, the gentleman 
Went round to a part of the house where a window was usually 



51 

open. On getting to the plcace, he found Jowler stationed there, 
holding the infant by her night dress, — but so gently that she felt 
no alarm. — ready to spring out of the window with her, if the 
flames came nearer. The gentleman quickly relieved Jowler of 
his precious burden ; and it is needless to say, that the lady ever 
after looked upon the dog as a friend, and was not sorry that, to 
please her husband, she had allowed him to have a place in the 
nursery and parlor. 

An excellent lady, with whom I have conversed on religious 
subjects, said she had observed that when a difference of opinion 
existed between herself and her husband, she invariably found 
that when she gave up to his wishes, though they might bo con- 
trary to her own feelings of what was right and proper, that the 
matter turned out better in the end than if she had done accord 
ing to her feelings at the time. She accounted for this by believ- 
ing that in yielding to her husband's wish, she was obeying the 
commands of God, who is able to bring good out of evil to them 
that serve Him faithfully. 

From my own experience, added to these and higher testimo- 
nies, I am satisfied that when we cheerfully yield obedience to 
the wishes of our parents, or legal guardians, — whoever, in the 
Providence of God, has charge over us in childhood and youth, — 
and when in mature years we yield obedience and respect to the 
wishes of our husbands, or, as servants, do the will of our mas- 
ters faithfully, we shall be rewarded for the good that we do. 

It may not be my place to be philosophical, but I may say that we 
are compound beings ; our bodies are composed of different con- 
stituent parts: and our minds of different desires and impulses. 
While one thought has the ascendancy as is often the case, we de- 
sire something very ardently which very soon we may care but very 
little about, and while children we often desire things which would 
injure us quite materially. God has provided for this difficulty 
in giving us parents and guardians and friends, whom it is our du- 
ty to consult ; and though it may seem hard to be thwarted in our 
inclinations, yet, we should remember that to please our parents 



52 

should bo our highest gratification ; and in pleasing them we are 
pleasing God, -whose favor is above all praise. We should cheer- 
fully give up whatever they disapprove, relying upon God that we 
will never have cause to repent doing so. We admit there may 
be extreme cases, where we cannot please earthly friends without 
going contrary to the dictates of conscience. In such cases we 
must pray to God much and earnestly, hoping he will bring all 
things right. 

Perhaps it might not be amiss for young ladies to enquire of 
themselves before forming an engagement. Is this gentleman a 
person such as I can reverence and esteem, or ' look up to.' it is 
sometimes said. If the answer be unfavorable, it will be better 
to give up the matter till 3'ou can meet with one whom you can 
reverence. If this plan were iiore practiced much evil might be 
avoided. But is there no commands for gentlemen? Oh, yes- 
and for parents too. They can read it in the Epistle to the Ephe. 
sians, and in that to the CoUosians. But I would advise gentle- 
men to conduct themselves so wisely that women would respect 
and reverence them without any efi"ort. They may rest assured 
that every foolish act they do, and every inconsiderate word they 
speak; lowers them in the estimation of both women and children. 
If they will be really very good, we will esteem and love them 
even if they seem too strict But, please gentlemen, towards women 
and children be kind, though firm. Be firm as a rock in the right 
path ; yield not an inch from your principles if you know they are 
positively right ; but still speak to us gently, and endeavor by the 
Bible to make us see our errors, and persuade us to act conscien- 
tiously in the fear of God. Let us all resolve to do our duty 
whether others do theirs or not. 

God will not upbraid us that our friends were unreasonable in 
liieir requirements ; and he may not admit this as an excuse for 
our neglect of courtesy towards them. Servants are commanded 
to be obedient, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the 
froward ; for here lies the greatest degree of merit. 

We said, that without obedience to superiors, no order can be 



53 

maintained in the family, or school, or state. The great philan- 
thropist, Mr. Howard, when about to be married, told his lady 
that whenever a difference of opinion arose, he might sometimes 
yield to her wishes if the matter did not involve a sacrifice of prin- 
ciple ; but he should reserve to himself the privilege of deciding 
in such cases ; and when he yielded to her wishes, she must con- 
sider it an act of courtesy. This is a far better method than to 
dispute about matters, when there is a difference of opinion. I 
once heard a bright little girl when about seven years old, say to 
her mother, something to the foUoiving import: '-But Ma, how 
shall I know but what you may be mistaken ? sometimes Pa says 
a thing is different from what you say it is; so I don't know what 
to think about it. Either you or he is sometimes mistaken." 

Another girl, who was about twelve years old at the time, said 
to her Sabbath School teacher, who was giving her pupils some 
advice upon the subject of obedience : '' If my father tells me to 
do one thing and my mother tells me to do differently, which of 
them shall I obey ?'^ 

It is best for heads of families to dispute very little, especially 
before their children, or indeed at all. They had better decline 
an argument and practice self denial for the sake of peace. Chil- 
dren cannot always discriminate and make allowance; yet their 
reasoning powers are early developed. For their sake, if not for 
a higher cause, love and harmony should prevail in the household. 
One great consolation remains for the party who gives in, — the 
favor of God, and the hopes that in a future world all will be 
made right to them. This should amply repay them for a seem- 
ing defeat in an argument. 

There might be something said on those cases where young per- 
sons think their guardians mistaken, or old fashioned in their no- 
tions. Remember, young friends, these persons see the folly "of 
the things they, like you, desired when they were younger, and 
from their own exoerieuce warn you for your good. Your sup- 
posing them mistaken docs not cancel your obligations to obey 
them, except in matters involving a principle of conscience. 



64 

We may oLserve, that it was in consequence of our motlicr Eve's 
stopping to reason on an important matter, which led her to disc" 
bey. We sometimes reason in a similar manner. We say, " It 
would be for our good to have such a thing, and to do thus and 
so. Such an article costs very little ; it is pretty and fashionable, 
and I think I might be permitted to have it." My friend, you 
are treading on dangerous ground when you reason thus ; your 
parents or your husband know best what they can afford to get 
for you, than you do ; let them decide, and beware how you teaze 
and coax them to yield to your wishes contrary to their better 
judgment. In this matter many daughters and wives act very sel- 
fishly ; and I may say wickedly, and yet: without duly considering 
what they are doing. Remember too, that if God sees fit to give 
you your wishes, he can do so without your resorting to any de- 
ception, or importuning of your friends, in order to obtain them. 

Never decieve your friends, nor teaze them till in order to get 
peace in the domestic circle, some obligation is put off till another 
time : or your friend's tasks are increased to meet your selfish de- 
mands. We repeat again, avoid reasoning upon these matters ; 
your friends may be penurious, or entirely mistaken, but do thy 
duty. Submit to their decision cheerfully, and if God is pleased 
with thee, and considers it best for thee to have thy desire, he will 
bring everything right in his own time and manner. 

One remark on the government of children. The Apostle says, 
'■ Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath," but bring them 
up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." It is well never 
to get angry with a child, or to exhibit passion before them. A 
certain little boy whose will being very strong, sometimes needed 
to be restrained by means of the rod. He was once telling a per- 
son that his mamma whipped him sometimes ; the friend injudic- 
iously said, " That is too bad." He immediately replied, " oh, no, 
it is right, mamma has to whip me to make me good ; the bible 
tells her to whip me when I am naughty." This is the way chil- 
dren should be taught, that it is positively the parent's duty to 
correct them when they are disobedient. But all unnecessary se 
verity should be avoided towards children and every one. 



55 

I must now conclude tliis atlJress by urging persons to put 
these remarks into faitlitVil j^iactice, — that is, tliose who have not 
practiced them fully. Try to live according to this advice for a 
year or two, and see if you have any reason to regret doing so. 
Make the New Testament the rule of your life, and all will bo 
right. Reading the lives and examples of pious persons may as- 
sist you very much. 

It may be urged that if a person really loves another, it is a 
pleasure to obey their every wish. This is true, but unfortunate- 
ly we have so much self-will and self-love that the love of others 
to a great degree, is kept in the back-ground. We think we love 
God, but we allow the world to occupy our thoughts. If God 
were enshrined in our affections, as should be the case, we would 
cheerfully obey all his retjuirements and love every one else for 
his sake. 

The Apostle snys, " If any man love the world, the love of the 
Father is not in him." And again, " If a man say ho love God 
and love not his brother, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 
Sometimes we do love our friends so well that any act of obedi- 
ence, or any kindness we can render them is a pleasure to lis, but 
it is often the case that our pride and selfishness overcomes our 
better feelings, and so we do not do the good which we knuw to be 
our duty. When those relatives and friends whose counsels we 
have neglected, are removed from us by death, and we know it is 
impossible to ask their forgiveness, or acknowledge to them our 
errors, then conscience will smite us with keen and bitter remorse. 
Better, far better to mortify pride while there is an opportunity, 
than after the friend is released from the effects of it, to have oc- 
casion to mourn and lament. How much better to try to make 
our friends happy by compliance with their wishes, — even if we 
must practice severe self denial, — than after they are gone, to see 
and be obliged to acknowledge to ourselves that they were wiser 
than we, and judged rightly though we supposed they were mis 
taken. 

God is our great father, but he has given us fathers in the flesh, 



56 

to wliom, if wo yield obedience, we ore ob3yiiig Him. Let us all 
endeuvor to obey God and win bis f:ivor, tliat it may be well with 
us in time and in Eternity. 



CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD. 

^'^ And be not conformed unto this ivorld^'^ ^c. — Romans 12; 2. 
'• Charge them tho.t are rich in tliis tvorld, that they he not 
high-minded — tJiat they he rick in goodiuorks. ready to distri- 
bute^ luilling to communicated — ist Timotliy. 7 ; 18. 

From tbe above passages, and otbers of similar import, ws 
learn that it is tbe duty of Christians, or professedly religious 
persons, to beware of conforming closely (o the customs of the ir- 
religious world in regard to many things. 

Doubless the x\postle meant vain amusements, as well as dress, 
and pomp, and show. In one place he says, '-Avoid foolish jesting 
which is not convenient;" and James says, "Is any one merry? 
let him sing paalm " The Apostle is very explicit in regard to 
costly dress and ornaments, and speaks expressly against them : 
and observes, with regard to women, " Let their adornment be a 
meek and ^ quiet spirit." 

James says, •' Pure and undefilled religion before God the Fa- 
ther, is to visit the widow and the fatherless in their affliction, and 
to keep one's self unspotted from the world." There is a vast 
deal comprehended in the terra, unspotted from the world. It 
doubtless means to avoid falling into its desires and lusts for great- 
dess; whether of pride, or from ambition to excel merely for the 
sake of worldly honor or notoriety. The Old and New Testaments 
both represent the pious man as seeking for God's glory and the 



57 

well being of his race above all other considerations, and his own 
private interest in worldly matters, as of bat trivial importance. 

The Apostle says, let every man seek the good of others, in hon- 
or preferring one another. All selfishness is expressly forbidden 
both by Jesus and the Apostles. We might remark with regard 
to the little value a wise man would set upon merely worldly ad- 
vantages ; these things can benefit or please us but for a few year's 
at most, but the recollection of a good or kind act will afford us 
pleasure through the countless ages of eternity. 

"While looking at the present state of religious society, so termed 
at least, we seem to see a vast difiference from the precepts taught 
by the Apostles. There are but few things called amusements or 
indulgencies, but what many professedly religious people partici- 
pate in more or less. True, there are a great majority who do 
not approve of this state of things, and whose lives are strictly 
conformed to Christianity. But while thinking over the extent 
of this departure from primitive rules, we feel that some Martin 
Luther's, or John Wesley's are needed now to preach reform in 
the Churches. This reform is needed in dress, and costly style of 
living, so far as mere show is concerned. Many persons in the 
middling ranks of life furnish their tables but plainly, and even 
deny themselves solid comforts in order to have the more means 
with which to dress and make a show in some way ; and looking 
into things in society closely, we perceive more excuses for per- 
sons acting thus unwisely, than seems at first : but every one un- 
derstands these causes. A very wise man or woman may rise 
above this state of things, but it requires great wisdom and inde- 
pendence of character. If the rich were to spend their surplus 
wealth in relieving the unfortunate, and raising the depressed and 
bowed down, instead of the manner in which too many now spend 
it, things might be different. 

Do you. my sisters, consider when you put ten or fifteen dollars 
worth of trimming upon a dress, that this would buy eight or 
twelve comfortable dresses for so many poor women ; or tenor 
fifteen pairs of shoes for some little naked feet, that we some- 



58 

^Imes see out doors even in winter time ? How much more rca^ 
pleasure it would afford us to appropriate it in the latter way, 
than in the former, which does not increase the beauty of the 
wearer, but only seems to make her dress look richer, — not pretti- 
er. If we viewed things rightly, and our hearts were filled with 
that benevolence which caused the Lord Jesus to become poor 
for our sakes, there would be no question or hesitation in the mat- 
ter ; we would at once see that so long as money might be spent 
more usefully in aiding the sick and the really poor, and provi- 
ding them with proper food and clothing, and in providing com- 
fortable dwellings where they might live in peace and quietnegs, 
and have pure air to breathe ; we would not feel at liberty to spend 
ii in useless decorations either on our person, or in our houses. 

Now we will mention one thing in connection with this subject. 
It has become fashionable in some cities to erect expensive and 
elegant churches — even in those very cities where the greatest 
number cf wretchedly poor persons are stowed away, during the 
night at least, in old, delapidated buildings, or in those so con- 
structed that a great many persons are brought into close contact 
with each other ; where it is impossible, in some instances^ to have 
pure air, or hardly a ray of comfort, except, it might be, in the 
hopes of a release from suffering by death. One dying man said 
to the Visiting Missionary, " 0, take me away from here ! Jesus 
Christ cinnot come here ! " The poor man alluded to the ex- 
treme wickedness of the people, in the adjoining rooms. Though 
Christ had really come there, yet we are frail creatures, and the 
man was not to blame that he could not feel right in such a place. 
Now, we mean to say that, although person3 may think that in 
consecrating a costly building to God's service, they are doing a 
religious act of the first magnitude, they may be mistaken. It 
would not always be amiss to examine the motives which lead to 
this act, whether it be really all given to God, and meant only for 
Him and His glory alone, or whether emulation, and even pride 
has not a large share in our minds when we contribute to this ob- 
ject. Allowing that God should have the best of earthly things — 



59 

the highest specimens of art dedicated to his service, yet might it 
not be well to inquire in what way the gift would be most accep- 
table to Him? 

Hero:l, the great, re-built the the temple of Jerusalem, but we 
all know he was a very bad man ; nor was this act to be consid- 
ered as one of piety, but rathei' from the love of fjime, or the re- 
nown which he hoped to gain by doing this for the Jews. 

In no part of the New Testament is there a command to dedi- 
cate a temple to God to be filled with costly ornaments and works 
of art. '^ Ye are the temple of the Lord." says the apostle ; and 
he makes this one reason why men should be pure and holy in their 
lives and conversation, that God, by His Holy Spirit might dwell 
in them. But We mean to assert, that if, instead of erecting 
buildings worth from sixty to three hundred and fifty thousand 
dollars, — plain, but durable buildings were dedicated to God's ser- 
vice, costing not more than thirty or forty thousand dollars at 
most, and the remainder of the money subscribed for this purposa, 
or growing out of Church funds, spent, not in home ornaments^ 
but in constructing comfortable houses for the homeless poor in 
the upper, or outer parts of great cities, where the sick could catch 
a glimpse of the blue sky sometimes, and breathe a draught of 
fresh air, it would be a fa,r more acceptable offering to God, 
and far more after the example of the Lord Jesus, than the 
one we have mentioned. Is it not evident from the whole of 
the New Testament, that God would be better pleased to be- 
hold a plain house, filled with persons plainly attired, — many 
of them having been poor and wretched, but now clothed de- 
cently by the kindness of others, than to look upon such con- 
gregations as He is forced to behold in some of our fashionable 
Churches? We were present at the consecration of one of 
these Churches, when, after service, a collection was taken up 
to build a Church for the poor, to be free for them. Now, this 
offering was doubtless acceptable, but why should the rich and 
the poor have separate Churches in which to worship? Is this 
according to the Old, or New Testaments i* Alas! we think it 
is a sad conformity to the customs of the world. 



60 

Looking al all those tilings, wherein there is such a difference 
between the precepts and spirit of the Gospel, and the way mat- 
tars are now managed in the churches, we feel that a lleformation 
is very much needed; but who will attempt to bring it about ? 
Will the Lord raise up some great preacher to warn people of 
their error in these things? We cannot tell. We know there is 
always a remnant who repent and are saved, or who do not defile 
themselves by doing after the manner of the heathen nations 
around them. There are more than four thousand who have not 
bowed the knee to this Baal. 

Who would rather be of this number than of those who are 
stumbling blocks in the way of sinners'? It might require some 
self-denial at first ; every one might not know why you wore a 
plain dress, and you might think it unbecoming to tell them. In 
this you may entertain a mistaken idea. Why can you not bo 
sufficiently on the Lord's side to say that you feel yourself to be 
but his steward over what means he has given you, and that you 
must lay it out in the way he has commanded you in his letter of 
instructions ? Alas ! how much more we worship the opinions of 
society and the world, than we are aware of; and yet how very 
much better it would be for ourselves, and others, to act honestly 
to our convictions of duty, and serve God faithfully, receive his 
approving smile, and be an example of piety to others. Jesus 
said, he that taketh not his cross and foUoweth not after rae, 
is not worthy of me, — may not thi3 be applied in this case t 
Surely, in professing religion there is no cross at the present day. 
Jesus said also to his desciples, " Ye are not of this world, 
therefore the world hateth you." In another place it is written, 
" He that loveth the world hath not the love of God in him." 
There is now but a slender partition between this world and the 
churcb : it is easy to pass from one to the other. This is in 
seeming only. There is an inner life, — a spiritual life — to which 
the votaries of plea?^ure, or of ambition, are strangers, wdiether 
in or without the pale of the visible church. God looks at tlm 
heart ; all our aspirations and motives are known to him, 



61 

whether we are merely seeking world!}' honor, or enJcavoring 
to conduct so as to win his favor. Would it not be better to 
practice a life of self-denial, if need be, and IN REALITY 
renounce the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all 
the sinful lusts of the flesh, and thus secure tho indwelling spirit 
of God, than do as too many of us do at present? 

The writer once heard a clergyman say to his wife, "Heaven 
is worth trying very hard to obtain." Eemcniber this, dear 
readfi*- But we need not wait for death in order to have a fore- 
taste of heaven. Let us only do in reality what we profess to 
do when being confirmed, or joining the church. Let us love 
God supremely, and get him enshrined in our affections, as a 
lover is sometimes fixed there ; then it will be a pleasure to try 
to please him, — even though some things seem hard at first, 
they will come easier by degrees. Instead of shrinking from 
duty, let us do it fearlessly, looking to God for help, and soon 
the way will become smooth, or our strength will be increased 
to meet whatever difficulties do arise. One thought more, and 
we close. When we feel it our duty to pursue a certain course, 
let no persuation cause us to deviate from it. — for, the same 
persons who at first may ridicule our notions, if they only find 
us firm and consistent, will soon learn to treat us with respect 
and deference. Courage and firmness are necessary in fighting 
manfully under the banner of the Lord Jesus, and we may rest 
assured, if we are not afraid of the world, He will help us to 
conquer it. He said, "I have overcome the world." He re- 
nounced the office of a king in order to be our Savior. Moses 
did something similar to this. Shall we follow their example, 
and sit down with them in heaven ? 



62 

Doctor, what shall I have for dinner? A friend, said the Phy- 
sician in reply, Why Doctor, we are not cannibals ! — Mij JSovcl. 
or Varieties m English Life. 

There are inany persons who fully understand the Doctor's 
meaning, and can realize that any kind of food is likely to be di- 
gested easier, and eaten with greater relish, if one has a friend to 
keep him company while at table ;than if he be obliged to dine 
alone, with no one to share in conversation, or say something to 
cheer his spirits, or produce a little relaxation to relieve his isaind 
either from the weariness of study, or thinking, whether it be of 
himself, or of business ; whether he be sick, or even tolerably 
well. The design of this essay is to plead the cause of the sick ; 
those who have chronic or long standing complaints, so that 
their acquaintances are tired of hearing them complain. " They 
have been taking medicine so long, and saying they are sick, — 
it is all imagination or spleen ; if they had to work, or would 
go to work, they would be well enough." Has the reader nev- 
er hoard such remarks as the above 1 We hope, dear friend, 
you have not, especially if you were the subject of them ; but 
such remarks are made, and sometimes too, Nvhen they are out 
of place. There are some beggars in the world who are lazy, 
or are as willing to beg as to seek for employment. But, on 
the other hand, there are thousands who would gladly labor in 
any way, rather than solicit charity. Some have even commit- 
ted suicide, or died alone, from want, rather than ask alms. — 
Let us not then condemn all beggars, because some are impos- 
ters. Though some persons may imagine themselves more dis- 
eased than they really are, and though pleasant employment is 
a great blessing to those in health, as well as those who are 
but slightly ailing, yet for one person who feigns, or imagines 
sickness, and therefore neglects his or her duties, (in tbe lower 
or middling walks of life,) there are scores who go beyond their 
ability, and injure their health by doing things for which their 
strength is insufficient. 

In this country, where there is so much excitement, and em- 



63 

vilation to be as " smart " as others, in some way ; it may be to be 
neat housekeepers, or to have one's family diessed well, or to at- 
tend some party, or to have company. In these various ways 
there is more danger of overdoing and taxing one's strength to the 
utmost, than of listlessness, — even those who have no families of 
their own, are often engaged in philanthropic efforts for the good 
of others, and in religious efforts. It sometimes happens that 
those who have active minds, and overzealous hearts in the 
good cause, forget that they have not strong constitutions, and 
thus go beyond their strength, and break down before age comes 
on. Once the system does get thoroughly " run down'" it may be 
very difficult to restore it again, far more so than to break up a 
fever, or some acute disease, where one is obliged to give up en- 
tirely, and during the period of illness have every proper care and 
attention. 

There are several reasons why those hiaving chronic diseases are 
not speedily cured, even though they go to some trouble and ex- 
pense in obtaining and taking medicines. Some of these belong 
to works of physiology, rather than to a moral essay. We will 
Bay, however, that there may be great prostration or weakness of 
the parts diseased, the tone and energy of the system is gone, and 
the want of that stimulus furnished by excitement or employment 
formerly, h now felt severely, particularly by those persons who 
are said to /ive vpon excitement. This observation is sometimes 
made by the nearest friends. 

Could a person sometimes give up all care of themselves and 
their affairs, into the hands of a friend in whom they could place 
implicit confidence that all would be well taken care of, it might 
produce such a relaxation of mind, that would be of the greatest 
benefit. But it often occurs that, though one is very much ailing, 
yet they " keep about," and do all they possibly caiWo, except 
going to churchy or takius: that kind oj healthful and pleasant 
EXERCISE which is most needed. 

Some persons are so situated that they never have proper care 



64 

and attention ; even though money be spent for medicine, there 
are circumstances which counteract its effect, and render it of no 
avail. Then the physician, or the medicine, is blamed, when 
the fault lies entirely in other things. Proper care, and good 
nursing, and right management everyway, is of far more importance 
than the medicine alone. When the mind is harrassed and per- 
plexed by any cause, the efficacy of medical aid is hindered in 
proportion to the extent of the perplexity. Homeopathy recog- 
nizes the effect of mind over the body, by recommending various 
specifics for different states of mind; or diseases produced by 
grief, anger, home -sickness, &c. Every medical practitioner soon 
learns the effect of mind upon the body, and the effect of ihe 
want of sufficient sleep, — this is an important consideration. 

Now what can be done in these cases, where various things 
unite to prevent one from recovering from illness ? Sometimes 
we can only say, "Endeavor to be resigned to the will of our heav- 
enly Father. It is He alone who can remove the preventing 
causes." At other times, much may depend upon the patient's 
own management, and always considerable on the kindness and 
carefulness of those who are round about the person ; whether 
they have or take any interest in the case, or are indifferent. Much, 
very much depend on the friends, or those who have some charge 
or intercourse with the ailing person. The writer would like to 
get up a new system of medicine for friendless invalids^ but it 
might be difficult to find all ready to administer it. It may be 
supposed I mean resignation ;. no, that state of mind God alone 
can produce. No, we will call it Hajyj^iness. Let every one who 
is near or around sick persons, try in some way to make them hap- 
py or pleased, if but for a moment. The present of a simple 
flower juth kind words, may do more good than a potion of medi- 
cine, oolomon says, " Words fitly spoken are like apples of gold 
in pictures of silver," and surely they must be especially so, when 
addressed to the low-spirited. Persons cannot always help being 
low-spirited when they are ill ; their illness causes this state of 



65 

mind, sometimes, on account of the trouble and care one is to oth- 
ers. Sometimes one cannot help feeling unpleasantly. Truc^ 
there are different dispositions, and people are differently situated 
in regard to a variety of things. Some persons will preach to the 
sick, and enjoin the duty of patience on them : but one little act 
of real kindness and sympathy will do more good every way, bod- 
ily and mentally, than a long homily on patience and resignation. 
God has no where enjoined perfect patience and quietness 
under affliction. Has He not commanded us to call upon Him 
in the day of trouble % David was a most pious man, but he com- 
plained bitterly of his afflictions. Job, who is usually called a 
patient man, also complained still more bitterly during his state 
of suffering. 

No where in the Bible does God command us to practice cold- 
hearted philosophy or stoicism. If we have sufficient grace and 
wisdom to practice resignation to the Divine will it is a blessed 
thing; but often in sickness the mind is not in, subjection to the 
will, — though we know what is right, we cannot practice it. When 
one has relatives and good friends, a variety of plans will suggest 
themselves to them, how to please and entertain a sick person. 
Light, pleasant employment may be very useful, and the company 
of judicious persons, who know when to keep still, and not talk 
too much, or make the sick persons talk more than is proper for 
tliem. The patient's own feelings and desires should always be 
considered, for that is very important. Reading a pleasing book 
is an easy way to entertain a sick person sometimes. Having 
the room pleasantly situated with regard to an out-door prospect 
is of very great service, and having it tastefully arranged inside, 
also may be useful. Whatever gives pleasure to the eye gives 
pleasure to the mind. Let everything be arranged prettily, but 
without that stiffness which seems to say, " be careful not to put 
anything out of orderj' Bright cheerful colors, and pleasing pic- 
tures should bo chosen for a sick chamber ; the last serves a 
double purpose. Oftentimes the patient may be alone or unable 



66 

to bear conversation ; then a picture to meet tlie glance occasion- 
ally, may be almost a friend. The writer once heard a cleigjman 
i=ay that a minister could not preach so well where the walls were 
entirely plain, as if there were something to break the sameness, 
and render things pleasing to the eye. As previouly stated, what- 
ever gives pleasure of the proper kind — not excitement — must be 
of utility in cases of illness, that is, from debility, lameness, and 
su3h diseases as are of long-standing. Usually when a person is 
happy he will try to be good so long as the happy feeling contin- 
ues. Sometimes there may be cases of selfishness, but then re- 
monstrance or advice should be given kindly. One can usually 
gain more by kind persuasion than by scolding. Let the moral 
and religious feelings of persons be appealed to in all cases, if it 
can be done properly ; still, if done at all, do it kindly, for then 
it is far more likely to produce the desired effect. 

Something has been said about employment, which has called 
forth another idea with it. We sometimes see persons in poor 
circumstances 'keep about" and work diligently almost constant- 
ly, who are yet far from being quite well, and it would seem as 
if work were a benefit to them, — perhaps it is ; but in this way, 
they have but little time for intense thought or deep reflection ■ 
they get tired enough to sleep soundly without injurious opiates. 
It may be that they are not capable of exercising much deep 
thought. It would seem better that some persons are not capable 
of doing so, for it would be impossible to work all the time and 
think deeply too. In this way the lower orders of people really 
escape that wear of mind and nerves, which is often felt by those 
in responsible positions. The slaves seem happy, because their 
minds are undeveloped. Sailors seem to care for nothing but to 
do their duty at the moment. Not so the commander of the ship ; 
he has a weight of care on his mind, which the common sailor 
does not feel. 

In youth, we play or work in a way that exercises our physical 
faculties ; in mature life, we have to exercise the mind more, by 



67 

planning and thinking. Then, if both our physical and mental 
abilities be overtaxed in the period of youth and mature age, we 
are liable to fall into premature old age, or second childhood ; or 
if the powers be taxed to the utmost, we fall down and die while 
comparatively young, before reaching the natural period of human 
life. We might say that though employment is beneficial to some 
diseases, there are many others which positively prevent the per- 
son thus afflicted, from pursuing active employment. We should 
learn to discriminate, and not judge cases too hastily, when we 
speak of the sick person's needing to go to work in order to be 
well. In all ca^es let us have charity, which is the bond of per- 
fectness, and remember that we too may be ill at some future 
time. He that shows kindness, may expect to be treated kindly, 
according to the Bible. 

We have sometimes thought that boarding places might be es- 
tablished for sick persons who have means, but who have no near 
relatives to wait upon them or rather to make things pleasant for 
them. At such houses the expense might be less than having a 
constant attendant, and yet pleasanter. Persons want a change, 
and to see more than one or two persons. The superintendent 
of such a house should be a decided Christian, and have the love 
of God in her heart in a large degree, so that she would sympa- 
thize sufficiently with each one. so as to be a real friend to all, and 
be able to see what would be fitting and best for them to do. 

When speaking of complaining, we meant to say, that we all 
like to be understood. It is either a common weakness, or a 
natural desire ; and much of our seeming complaining is merely 
the efi"ort we make to be understood^ and make people comprehend 
and know that we really are ill. One great benefit resulting from 
a physician's visit, is his sympathetic language to the patient, who 
feels that he at least knows that something ails him, more than 
the mere force of imagination. A true friend will always listen 
to complaints patiently, or seemingly so, even if he or she endeav- 
ors to lead the mind off to other things in order to make one for- 



68 

get their troubles. Hutif anjtliing can be do-ne, then let us know 
all the symptoms of a case, in order to administer the proper 
remedy. If possible, find out if there be any hidden trouble that 
may be lightened, if not cured, by sympathy ; afterwards the pa- 
tient's mind should be diverted from himself as much as possible, 
only so far as is necessary to take proper care of himself Wc 
will not say that kindness and happiness are specifics for all chron- 
ic complaints ; but thoy are valuable aids to medicine, and serve 
to make the patient/cc/ better, which is of great value. 

If we could be made so comfortable while sick, that we forget 
our pains, it would do very much towards banishing them alto- 
gether, if that be possible. 

We hardly know how to conclude this essay properly. We 
might say, let one who wishes to be kind and good to the sick, 
practice the Golden Rule : '• Do unto others as ye would that 
others should do unto you.^' Read the Bible much, for kindness 
is enjoined in all parts of the sacred volume ; and read it to the 
sick if you can. 

There is one thing, ho'wever, which is not always thought of, — 
we never can feel for others exactly right, unless we have suffered 
in a similar way ourselves. A certain writer says of poets, ^' They 
learn in suffering what they teach in song." Another writer sa^s 
a woman must suffer deeply, in ordar to develop her highest pow- 
ers. We believe this to be the truth. Stilly there are some young 
persons who have never suffered very much, and yet are excellent 
nurses, — simply from a desire to please and be useful. They do 
not act from compulsion, or merely a cold feeling of duty ; but 
from pure kindness of principle, which is the very best teacher in 
the world in these matters. When persons act merely from com- 
pulsion, it is all up-hill work ; but when love or affection lends a 
helping hand, all becomes easy. If the Son of God could conde- 
scend to heal diseases, we may patiently be willing to act as nurses 
or friends to the sick, and be assured of the favor of God in thus 
doing ; and if we remember that every good or kind act we do 



69 

to any Imman being, is done to God, to whom we all belong, we 

may take great pleasure in being good and kind. 

" Mine let the tender office long engage 
To rock the cradle of declining age ; 
Explore the lost, explain the asking aye, 
And keep awhile a parent from the bky." 



[extract.] 
GOTHE'S FAUST, AND DANTE'S PAKADISK 

Nothing can better show the difference of result between a stern 
and earnest life and one of partial accommodation, than a com- 
parison between the Paradise, and that of the second part of Faust^ 
In both, a soul gradually educated and led back to God, is re- 
ceived at last not thiough merit, but grace. But 0, the difference 
between the grandly humble reliance of old Catholicism, and the 
loop-hole redemption of modern sagacity. Dante was a man of 
violent passions, many prejudices bitter as well as sweet. His 
knowledge was scanty, his sphere of observation narrow, com- 
pared with those of Goethe. But retiring into his deepest self^ 
clear-sighted to the limitations of man, but no less so to illimita- 
ble energies of the soul ; the sharp details of his work convey a 
largest sense, as his strongest and steadiest flights only direct the 
eye to Heaven and beyond. 

But perhaps he had not so hard a battle to wage as this other 
great Poet. The fiercest passions are not such dangerous foes to 
the soul, as the cold skepticism of the understanding. The Jew- 
ish demon assailed the man of Uz with physical ills. The Lucifer 
of the middle ages tempted his passions, but the Mephistocles of 



70 



the eigbteenth century made the finite strive to encompass the in- 
finite ; and the intellect attempt to solve all the problems of the 
soul. This path Faust has taken. It is that of modern necro- 
mancy, not willing to grow into God by the steady worship of a 
life. Man would enforce his presence by a spell : not willing to 
learn his existence by the slow process of their own. They strive 
to bind it in a word, that they may wear it about the neck as a 
talisman. 



THE FUTURE IS BETTER THAN THE PAST. 

Not where long passed ages sleep, 

Seek we Eden's golden ties ; 
In the future, folded deep, 

Are its mystic harmonies. 

In the spirit's perfect air, 

In the passions tame and kind. 

Innocence from selfish care 
The real Eden we shall find. 

It is coming, it shall come, 

To the patient and the striving — 

To the quiet heart at home, 
Thinking wise and faithful living. 

When all error is worked out 

From the heart and from the life. — 

When the passions are laid low 
Through the spirit's holy strife. 

When the soul to sin hath died, 
True, and beautiful and sound. 

Then all earth is sanctified. 
Up springs paradise around. 

Then shall come the Eden days, 
Guardian watch from seraph eyes, 

Angels on the slanting rays, 
Voices from the opening skies. 



71 

SPIRITUAL AID. 

If we seek spiritual aid, let us ask it of God the Father, through 
the worthy name of Jesus ; thence may hope for the enlightning 
influence of the Holy Spirit, for our Lord said that His Father 
would give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him. But 1 think 
we need this influence more to enahla us to obey the letters of 
instruction which have already been sent to us, more than we do 
to convey to us any more. A child receives his lessons daily, and 
if he be wise, will not skip the one intended for to-day, in order 
to study one which he is not to recite for a week or two hence. 

Who of us can say honestly, " I keep all the commandments 
perfectly, even the 4th, and 8th, and 10th. I do good to every 
one, hoping for nothing again. I visit the sick and those who 
are in prison, or ip affliction. I give to the needy all I can* possi- 
bly spare. I hold no unpleasant feelings towards any one who 
has injured me, but am ready to render them good for evil. I 
pray three times in a day, earnestly and sincerely : not merely as 
a matter of form ; I delight to do the will of God, so far as I am 
able, more than all things else ; still I rely wholly on God's mercy 
through Christ for that salvation, knowing that I am still imper- 
fect and have not always been as good as I am now." The man 
or woman who, from the heart can say these things of himself or 
herself, will not add the following: " I am as good as I can be, 
with only the New Testament to instruct me. If departed spirits 
and angels would come and converse with me, and influence me, 
no doubt I would feel better and become more perfect." 

Alas ! it is not knowledge we need so much, as the disposition 
to seek it where it is to be found, and practice it when we know 
it. No doubt the company of good persons sheds a hallowed in- 
fluence over one's mind, and such we might expect would be the 
effect of the society of angels. But if God wishes us now, at 
present, to labor and live among men and animals, and trees, etc., 
is it quite right for us to seek to get into a higher seat before the 
Master thinks us worthy of being invited to take it.^ Let us do our 



72 

duty in whatever society we now happen to be placed, and the an- 
gels will love us better than if we neglect present duties in seeking 
their society. We are here on an errand, as it were, and when 
the business is settled, we shall get our discharge • God grant that 
we do the work faithfully, lest we get discharged with merited 
disgrace. 

If our hearts are free so that we can commune with the Father 
of Spirits and Jesus our Kedeemer, this will be sufficient for the 
present. This Holy Spirit (which I think is God, himself, in 
some way) can enlighten the mind, if that be necessary, and puri- 
fy our hearts from the love or practice of sin and from sinful 
thoughts and desires. Religion is a heart work. To become spir- 
itually minded, we must deny ourselves every gratification which 
conscience or the New Testament forbids, and be willing that God 
should i*e our most secret desires and actions, at all times and un- 
der all circumstances. Perhaps many would not feel able to meet 
the eye of God on all occasions, especially when excited. But 
even then it will be well to feel that God does see us. This 
thought will bring about calmer feelings ; and in times of trouble 
we will look to God for help as a little child looks to his mother, 
and though his wants be not immediately attended to, will keep on 
calling till she does relieve his distress. We should thus continue 
to look to God for assistance, even though it be deferred. 

When we know some positive duty, let us not hesitate to do it. 
Whether in times of trouble or of joy, we should always go to 
God and thank him for our pleasures, or ask him to remove the 
difficulty. We might thus in some measure seem to commence 
heaven below, for we may be sure that even if admitted into the 
world of spirit.*!, our highest pleasure will be in ascribing all the 
praise to Him who bought us and redeemed us with His ot^n blood. 



73 



ON THE SAME SUBJECT. 



TO J- 



There is something I wish to communicate to you, and in order 
to be brief, will come to the point at once. You believe that per- 
sons are inspired in these days in a similar manner to what the old 
prophets were. If this be so, then I may as well lay claim to in- 
spiration as any one else. Now in the silent watches of the night, 
when thinking upon a certain subject, sentiments like these come 
to me, " Seek communion with God only." Seek truth from the 
fountain of truth, and let your vessels be free from dregs and im- 
purity, so that you may have only the pure truth. Translation : 
'• Seek not unto familiar spirits from the livimg to the dead." — 
Isaiah But seek deep, earnest communion with the Infinite 
Father, as you would with your most intimate friend, to whom you 
might resort at any moment, if necessary, and pour your joys ar 
sorrows in bis ear. Leave your departed friends with God ; when 
He comes He will bring them with Him if they be among the 
blest. The New Testament is a pure fountain of truth without 
alloy. Come to it with your mind' free from all preconceived no- 
tions which are contrary to its doctrines. If possible, lay aside 
every idea which is not in accordance with what Jesus and the 
Apostles taught. Paul says, " Though we or an angel from heav- 
en preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have 
preached unto you, let him be accursed." — Gal. 1. With such a 
text as this before us, should we not try the spirits, and examine 
and see whether their teachings harmonize with the teachings of 
the New Testament. Jesus says, " My words are spirit and they 
are truth. The words that I speak shall judge him at the last 
day." From the testimony of Jesus there can be no appeal. 
Even if God should come to dwell among us. He could not teach 
a different doctrine without destroying all religion. There can 
be^progress to truth ; it is unchangeable as its Author. Rest as- 
sured we shall have no revelation from God till Christ comes in 
flaming fire. See the first verse of Hebrews : " God hath in these 



74 

last days spoken to us by His Son," &c. If the history of Paul's 
conversion be trne, his commission is valid for all ages in this 
state of existence ; or till a new heaven and earth appear. It be- 
hooves us, therefore, to be careful and read these doctrines and 
believe them implicitly, and reject all that differs from them. 
One word on miracles. It was by faith in Jesus' name the Apos- 
tles or those who attended upon Him. performed miracles. Feter 
utterly disclaims all merit of himself, after healing the lame man, 
and positively said it was done alone by faith in the Lord Jesus. 



FRAGMENT. 

The spirit which God implants within us, is that of love and 
mercy, or pity, peace and joy. These overcome our propensities 
to evil, and mould our thoughts and feelings into harmony with 
Himself and all His arrangements. If in a right state of mind, 
we feel to say " not my will but Thine, God, be done." But 
the influence of this spirit is not given in an audible voice, but 
rather like a hallowing influence from holy thoughts, like deep, 
earnest prayer when no words are used. Do some persons hardly 
comprehend this ? When a mind is brought near to God, it can 
commune with Him as friends sometimes do by a look or pressure 
of the hand. There are many modes of communicating with those 
whom we know perfectly understand us ; and we know God does 
understand us. 

We all know the influence which love has upon us. If a friend 
does us some service or sends a message of love and sympathy, 
what is the effect of this upon us ? Why, we feel so pleased that 
we love everybody in the world for the time being. Oh ! that 
those who have the power would ofteaer cause these feelings ! 
Oftentimes, under religious emotions, persona feel to love all the 
world for the time being. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. 



75 



God is love. Heaven is not merely an intellectual academy on a 
large scale. Love and good will to every creature, is the heaven 
of heavens where God resides, and all that life is love. 

Were all evil passions subdued, pride of heart individually and 
nationally, all desire or emulation to rise one above another done 
away with, and love (toward every one) reign supremely in our 
hearts and minds, heaven might be begun below. We should all 
try to get as near God as possible without one wish that others 
may not get yet nearer, for God can make room for all who love 
him sincerely. No crowding is necessary to whisper a word in His 
ear ; and His hand can reach to o cation'' s utmost bounds. 



SENTIMENT. 

When I look to the blue sky and at trees and flowers, I feel as 
if I needed no other spirit but these to speak to me. There is a 
deep tone in all nature's works which goes directly to the heart, 
and makes one feel in the presence of Jehovah and a nearness to 
Him. I may not think of His having made those beautiful crea- 
tions, sky, trees and flowers; but knowing this fact, there is a holy 
feeling comes over me which makes me feel safe and happy for the 
time being. When I look at a beautiful infant, something of the 
same holy feeling comes over me. 



SCATTERING THOUGHTS. 

Is it not when men reject the truth of God's word that He per- 
mits errors to get into the world ? Did not the Turks know about 
the Jewish scriptures previous to Mohammed's time, and may it 
not have been on account of their rejecting these, that they were 
overcome with a system of falsehood ? Mormonism and all errora 
may have come into the world in consequence of men's rejecting 
or neglecting the truth of the Christian religion. 



76 

Sonietitncs the question arises, why has God permitted sia to 
be in the world when he might have prevented it ? The answer 
seems to come like this. It is by contrast that we see the deform- 
ity of sin and the beauty of holiness. In a higher state of exist- 
ence we may be better able to judge of the wisdom of God in 
these things which now baffle our comprehension. The ways and 
dealings of God with us are but imperfectly understood by us 
now ; only we know He is our Father, and that He cannot err. 
Of this truth we may rest assured. Therefore we may rest satis- 
fied in regard to those things which seem involved in mystery. 
Here is faith in God's supreme goodness and wisdom. Could we 
see everything as plain as we do some of our mechanical opera- 
tions, there would be no room for the exercise of faith. Oh ! how 
I would like to be a little child and lie down at the feet of God 
quietly, without asking any questions about why anything is thus. 
I feel that the highest excellence in the character of the Deity, 
His crowning attribute of perfection, is His benevolence in bring- 
ing back His erring children. His wisdom is manifested in some- 
times bringing good out of evil To take the highest case of this 
kind, the death of our Lord Jesus. It was wicked to put Him to 
death, but oh ! the blessings which have flowed from this circum- 
stance we dare not attempt to enumerate. Sometimes we regard 
death as an evil, but in another sense we should not any more 
than when the blossoms fall from the trees so that the fruit will 
begin to form, or that a decayed body is removed in order to give 
the spirit more freedom to expand and ascend to a purer atmos- 
phere. May not the cause for the fall of some angels have been 
that God might show forth His power in redeeming man even 
from their influence ; though this thought may seem like ventur- 
ing into too deep water for us at the present time. 



EXTEACTS. 

Yet is the spirit lone, — its problem deep, 
No other may work out,— its mystic way, 



77 



2s o other wing may try ; passionate hopes, 
Miglity yet powerless, and most aivful fears ; 
Its strength ne'er equal to the burden laid. 
Longings to stop but eagerness to go, 
Is its alone; a wall unscalable 
Circuits fhe soul, — its fellow cannot pass. 
The mother may not spare the child, to take 
Its youthful burden on her willing heart ; 
Nor friend enfranchise friend. Alone, alone 
The soul muat do its own immortal work ; 
The best beloved most distant arc ; the near 
Far severed wide. Soul knows not soul, 
No more than those uuansw^ering stars divine. 

Ood of these splendid stars ! I need 
Thy presence ; need to know 
That Thou art God — my God indeed : 
Far off they shine, far off they glow. 
Shield me 'mid Thine innumerable worlds; 
Give me some point where I may rest, 
While Thine unceasing ages flow. 
****** 

Recall, Eternal Source, and reassume 
In Thine own essence peace unutterable. 

0, Thou, Supreme Infinitude of thought ! 

Thou who are height and depth ! whether is life 1 

And what are we but vanishing shadows alll 

O'er the eternal ocean of Thy Being. 

It is Thy will, the sunbeam of Thy mind 

That pervades and modifies the air 

Of mortal life in which the spirit dwells. 

Thou conjugatest those joys and hopes and griefs ; 

In Thee they beam or gloom, Eternal Sun ! 

Let them not come between my soul and Thee. 

Let me rejoice in Thy o'erflooding light ; 

Fill up my being's urn until a star 

Once kindled, ne'er extinc my soul may burn 

In the pure light of an excelling Love, 

Giving out rays as lavishly as given. 



THE MIND. 

The ralnd is not under the control of the will. It sometimes 
needs to be coaxed into proper or right feelings. Keading some 
good book will oftentimes have this effect, or conversing with a 
true and wise friend ; but it cannot be turned as one might turn 



78 

a reed and bend it backwards from its former position. Who has 
not been troubled to get a train of thoughts off his mind which 
bad been and were still annoying him ? Sometimes by speaking 
of the matter to another, (even though one feels slightly condemn- 
ed in doing so.) often yields relief; of course, supposing the con- 
fidant to be a friend. An intelligent person observed, '' one train 
of thoughts can only be discharged by others taking their place." 
In such cases if one coax others in the place of unpleasand one by 
reading or otherwise, it will be well. 

The mind of itself knows nothing of the Sabbath day. Hovr 
frequently thoughts of business will creep into our minds even in 
church, unless they are deeply pngaged in the service; and oftimes 
something by the power of-associations, will call up thoughts 
which we feel obliged to check on this holy day. The mind re- 
fuses idleness, and if not properly employed something will come 
up which is unsuitable at the time. I hardly think it is the ene- 
my which does this, or but seldoni it seems like the bent of the 
mind ; all persons are not alike in this however, some have more 
control over their thoughts than others. Early training and 
soundness of mind may be causes for their being able to exercise 
this control, which advantages all do not alike possess. 



A SENTIMENT. 

Oh ! for that filial devotion 

To our Universal Parent, 

Whch would lead us on all occasions 

To forfeit all we may hold dear on earth 

Rather than Him offend, 

Even in teeming trifles. 

A man whose heart is true to God, 

Will, fur his honor, sacrifice 

Time, kindred, frieuds, or life itself, 

If cause demands. 

By labors too severe for human strength, 

But called forth by circumstances 

In his Master's service ; 

Yea, for the tiuih itself 
He often becames a mart^Ti 



79 

PROCRASTINATION AND FORGIVENESS. 

" Shall we continua in sin that grace may abound 7 God 
forbid! — Romans G: I, 2. 

There is a principle involved in the text we have chosen, that 
makes it decidedly wrong for us to continue in sin, because that 
God is mer3iful. The Apostle is very emphatic here. He says, 
God forbid ihat we should do so. We admit that these verses are 
addressed to persons who professed to be religious; yet we believe 
it may be applied to such as know they should be pious in order 
to inherit eternal life. No one can say, '" I know it is not my 
duty to begin to be religious, and endeavor to secure the favor of 
God," if he be not already pursuing a religious life. Now if one 
knows this, he is surely incurring God's displeasure if he procras- 
tinates the time for repentance and doing good works. 

The cause for writing this essay is that we have heard it urged 
against the glorious doctrine of the atonement, that it allowed 
people to live in sin all their lives, relying on the hope that in 
their last moments they could beg for God's mercy through Christ. 
It caused us to feel sadly to hear such an objection raised against 
the very highest act of God's dealings with mankind, that though 
they have debased themselves by sin, they can be purified and 
pardoned through h'S appointed means of restoration to a state of 
holiness and purity. It was further urged, that if men were told 
that they would be punished for their sins, and would have to 
work out their own salvation by doing good works, that they 
would be far more careful about doing wrong. Has not this doc- 
trine of punishment for transgression besn preached over and over 
again, for six thousand years ? and we might also ask has that 
alone ever produced genuine conversion? 

Has not the Catholic Church invented the practice of doing and 
suffering penance, and the doctrine of purgatory on this very 
ground; and virtually made the blood of Christ of none effect 
through these traditions ? But have Catholics been so very fear- 
ful of committing sins ? Alas ! alas ! Let history answer this 



80 

question. What ij it that melts the heart into tenderness so 
veadilj, as to preach of God's love to a fallen world, and his love 
to sinners, not withstanding their rebellion against his laws ? 

We might ask in the relation of mankind with each other as 
parents or masters, which usually produces the best efiects, love 
and mercy — or harshness and severity ? But it is more taught 
in our churches that sins are not punished. On the contrary 
every sin which is not repented of will be visited by punishment- 
The Scriptures and the churches all inculcate this idea. It is 
only when we are truly and sincerely sorry for our faults, and ask 
God to forgive us, that he blots them out of His book against us. 

Here we may mention an anecdote of a boy whose father was 
in the habit of driving a nail into a post whenever he done wrong, 
and pulling one of the nails out again whenever he done a good 
thing. After a time the lad became so good that the last nail 
was extracted from the post ; but then the boy observed the scars 
and wished that they could be effaced. Dear reader, it was to 
efface the scars which our sins had made, that the blood of Christ 
was shed for sinners. We all love to look upon an infant, it is so 
pure and holy ; but very soon, in most cases, this purity is some- 
what diminished. As soon as a child learns to take an apple, or 
a bit of sugar secretly, or to raise its hand in anger, or speak a 
naughty word, it is no longer holy ; sin has already defiled it, 
however beautiful and innocent it may seem. But Jesus has 
made atonement for these imperfections of childhood, and for the 
more aggravated faults of mature years, when these are mourned 
over and repented of. 

But to speak a word more on the subject of punishment. In 
the very nature of things, no transgression of a moral or physical 
law can be committed without corresponding punishment. It 
would be wrong in a parent to withhold necessary discipline from 
his child ; it is his duty to give correction when it is needed, as 
much as it is to give medicine when the child is sick. The Scrip- 
tures £ay, God scourgeth every son whom he receivcth ; and we 



81 

should consider these chastenings as tokens of His favor, rather 
ihan otherwise, when we have wandered from His precepts ; as 
<hey lead us to consider our ways, and make the necessary amend- 
ments in our manner of living, so that our souls may be saved at 
last, and our hearts brought more into conformity to the will of 
God. This is the design of chastisement ; but when we fail to 
profit by them, and only become rebellious and more wicked, sad 
indeed will be oui fate. Let any one look closely over his past 
life, and see if every wrong act of his life has not in some way 
met with a corresponding punishment. But no amount of pun- 
ishment can purify the soul from the stains of sin, or change the 
motives of the heart and bring them into nearness with God, so 
that we can feel towards Him as to our Father and Friend. The 
tears of sincere repentance are supposed by some to purify in part 
from the stains of sin. But by faith in Christ as suffering in our 
stead the full penalty of our guilt, we are accepted into God's 
favor as though we were pure in our own right ; and the opera- 
tions of the Holy Spirit makes us loathe sin, and love only to do 
the will of God. 

What a beautiful thought, that the vilest sinner may thus be- 
come as pure as a little child in the sight of God ; and his crimes 
though deep as crimson, be sponged out and washed away, from 
his remembrance forever. 

In every part of St. Paul's writings, he advocates the doctrine 
of forgiveness for sins, through the atonement made by the death 
and sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ; and he explains the sub- 
ject in the most logical manner. Being a Jew. he fully understood 
the nature of the purification intended to be made by the blood 
of animals ; and treats of this also in a masterly style of chris- 
tian like argument and expostulation. It would seem as if those 
who deny the doctrine of the Atonement can never have read the 
Epistle to the Hebrews, or to the Romans. We fear too many 
either imagine, or make up their own sentiments on religious 



82 



>jects ; or draw them from other sourcei than the Xew Testa- 
rncDt. 

We are told that Jesus only taught morality of a higher order, 
in his Sermon on the Mount, — that in that discourse ho said noth- 
ing about the forgiveness of sins. 

So did Moses at times preach morality ; but still, sacrifices 
were offered daily for the purification of the people from the 
errors they were continually committing, notwithstanding all the 
moral precepts he gave them. The sons of Adam were undoubt- 
edly taught to offer sacrifices by their father, and he must have 
been taught by God Himself. 

The death of Christ was intended to take the place of all sac- 
rificial offering ; that by faith in Him the sinner is made free from 
his sins in the sight of God. 

We cannot forgive our own transgressions, — we accept of for- 
giveness from God as an act of Mercy on His part, and when pen- 
itent and humble, we are very thankful to be forgiven and received 
again into favor. 

No minister encourages his hearers to put off the time for 
repentence ; but on the contrary, urges the necessity of immediate 
action in this matter for several important considerations. 

It is not the doctrine of forgiveness which makes people indif- 
erent and careless how they live. Four thousand years elapsed 
before Jesus died, or this doctrine was taught in its fullness ; had 
men not sinned greviously before this time, Jesus need not have 
suffered by wicked hands, and for His murderers even, as He 
could not have prayed for them had they been beyond the reach 
of forgiveness. 

There may be some errors in our Theology which will not be 
made right while we remain in the body ; but the doctrine of for- 
giveness fjr sins by faith in Jesus, is too clearly taught for us to 
make a mistake in it. 

If persons from pride, really wish to suffer the full penalty of 
their shortcomings till they become perfectly holy, it may be a 



83 

very long time before they are fit to stand in the presence of God. 
As penance cannot remove the consequences^ nor the remembrance 
of sins; and no unholy person can be admitted into the Divine 
presence in such a manner as to feel comfortable there. We know 
how our first parents shrank from God's presence when they had 
broken a positive command ; and how we shrink from an earthly 
parent's look sometimes, when conscious of having done wrong. 

It is therefore, our wisest course to ask for forgiveness humbly 
and earnestly ; acknowledging that with all the weakness and im- 
perfections of our nature, we yet might have done better than we 
have done. 

Eeader, we close this essay by saying that we fear that the 
charge we have been trying here to combat, is the work of the 
enemy of souls. He is ready to start any idea which will in any 
way detract from Christ's Mission. But do th«|f remember that 
Jesus said, "Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to 
give unto every man as his work shall be." Repent quickly, and do 
good works lest thou have thy part taken out of the Holy City. 



EXTRACT BEARING ON THE SAME SUBJECT. 

We cannot see how the disbeliever in a vicarious atonement can 
account for the life, sufi'^rings and death of Jesus Christ. They 
were most wonderful, viewed in any light ; but if not regarded as 
an expedient to satisfy justice and to make an atonement for sin, 
they ure utterly inexplicable. Even on the supposition that he 
was a mere man, he was not obliged to die. He was not subject 
to the inexorable fate of mortals. Death is solely the result of 



84 

sia ; but Christ was sinless, and death was therefore no part of 
his allotment. '• No man taketh my life from me ; I lay it down 
of myself" Why then he died, unless for some important end, 
which could not be accomplished by any means short of such an 
event, cannot be explained. It does not explain it, to suppose that 
Christ suffered and died for the mere purpose of setting an exam- 
ple. Tnat this might have been a subordinate object, is true ; but 
if it was the main or the ultimate end of the procedure, the means 
he took to secure it were altogether disproportionate. The sacri- 
fice of a being endowed with qualities so singularly excellent, and 
so richly furnished with supernatural gifts, simply to teach man- 
kind how to behave in their afflictions, does not evince the wisdom 
God has manifested in all his other works. Besides, what is the 
example which the death and sufferings of Christ afford ? It i» 
the example of Hfl innocent man subject to the most cruel treat- 
ment — perfect obedience rewarded as the most flagitious crimes — 
the greatest holiness doomed to the severest misuse — an example 
which, if unexplained by any other circumstances, the most fright- 
ful and disgusting the world ever saw. If this was Christ's object 
he most miserably failed. He never manifested an extraordinary, 
exemplary deportment, if we disallow the existence of some af- 
flictive experience beyond what is visible. — some terrible suffering 
from an unseen source. His anguish and cries. His bloody sweat 
in the garden, and His pitiful cry on the cross, seem to be entirely 
unmanly. The desertion of His friends and the cruelty of His 
enemies, He might have borne with far greater composure. Many 
of His followers, in all ages, have endured much sorer evil than 
He experienced with far more apparent magnanimity and self-pas- 
sion. So far from setting an example of pati«nce and self-passion 
in the hour of suffering and trial. He might be commended to the 
example of some of His own followers. 

Neither is the strange event we are considering, explained by 
supposing it to have been endured in order to prove the truih of 
the doctrines He taught. The death of Peter or Paul, or of any 



85 

of His disciples, was a far more satisfactory testimony to its truth. 
Christ died in defence of an opinion ; the martyrs in attestation 
of a fact. Men are often exceedingly zealous for opinions and 
doctrines which are false ; and have carried their attachment to 
them to the altar and the stake. But this zeal affords no proof of 
their truth. It proves, perhaps, that the zealot was sincere, but 
that is all. A man might die a thousand deaths for his doctrines 
or opinions, and yet we should never think of believing them the 
more. But the case is different where a man endures martyrdom 
for his unwavering adherence to a representation of facts. His 
death then would indicate his honesty not only, but would furnish 
an argument for the credibility of the alleged fact, ii would prove 
the fact just so far as it proved his sincerity. Now Christ had 
promulgated certain doctrines and opinions which he believed to 
be true. Would he prove them so by suffering and dying in their 
defence ? He would prove that he thought themto be true — that he 
was sincere in the belief of his own doctrines. But it would not 
prove that he was not mistaken, ignorant, or deceived, but his mar- 
tyred disciples based the truth of the doctrines they taught upon 
tho existence of certain facts : if the facts be admitted, the doc- 
trines must be believed of course. In illustration of these facts 
which they had seen with their own eyes, and heard with their own 
ears, they voluntarily submitted to imprisonment, torture and 
death, thus proving, not only their own sincerity, but the exist- 
ence of the facts to which they testified, and of course to the truth 
of the doctrines which grew out of those facts. There was no op- 
portunity for ignorance or mistake, — a certainty which cannot be 
predicated of any opinions which they might hold or promulgate. 
The death of Christ, therefore, is valueless in comparison with the 
death of his followers. Of course then, this is not the object of 
His death. He never left his truth supported by such unsatisfac- 
tory and unsubstantial proof. " Believe me for the very work's 
sake." On the contrary, how completely does the whole mystery 
find solution in the theory that His sufferings were endured and 
His death submitted to as an expiatory sacrifice for sin — as a sat- 



86 

isfaction to the law which men have violated, and as an expedient 
by which God can consistently and honorably forgive those who 
have transgressed. Upon this supposition, all is natural — the bit- 
ter anguish, the bloody sweat, the awful desertian, and the expir- 
ing cry are all explained. There appears no enormity of misusage, 
no weakness, no infliction, without purpose or end. 



TWO SCENES AYITH REFLECTIONS. 



FIRST SCENE.— Sunset at Bangor, Me. 



One sunset's hour I gazed abroad, 

A varied landscape met mine eye ; 
A city's buildings near me stood, 

With tall spires pointing to the sky. 
Far to the right a mountain rose, 

Decked with a veil of misty blue ; 
Near and aronnd fair gardens bloomed 

With fruits and flowers of every hue. 
In front an open space lies waste, 

Close where the Kenduskeag flows by; 
While on the opposite hill's crest 

The steam car's whistle sends its cry. 

But while I looked with feelings soothed, 

By chance my gaze did upward tend, 
As it an angel had bent down 

And kindly whispered, " Look up. friend.' 
For then a hcene still lovelier far 

Than that on earth, was pictured there ; 
'Tvvas heaven's blue arch, embroidered o'er 

With silvery clouds surpassing fair. 



87 



I called on one to share with me 

This lovely view which seemed to look 
Like some fair scene in heaven's own land — 

As cherubs by some crystal brook, 
Or angels that in splendor shone. 

While worshipping before the throne. 
Agam I looked, and saw with pain 

Where earth's damp vapors mixed their rays 
With the blue ether, — how it changed, 

And both became but dusky haze. 

And thus it is that earth-born cares 

Too often damp our holiest joys ; 
And faith's bright vision keep from view 

By vexing thoughts which thence arise. 

Oh where is he who was my guide 

Across old ocean's trackless waste ? 
Who oft would call me to his side 

When some new scene arose in haste. 
For ocean hath full many scenes 

Which no slight pencilling can line ; 
Even words keep back, deep thought alone 

Can read the picture and define. 



SECOND SCENE.— A Storm at Sea. 



One morn that I remember well, 

He called me out, — the scene was wild 
Our ship before the new-bom gale 

Ran wildly like a frighted child. 
The sea seemed level — o'er its face 

A veil was spread of sparkling foam, 
Like frostwork or like living lace, 

Or chiselled work on polished bone. 



88 



So beautifully leaped and danced 

Those little jets of snow-white spray, 
Awhile they most my thoughts entranced, 

One pleasing scene on that sad day. 
The sun was struggling to be seen ; 

Through some small spots he urged his right — 
" This sign was bad," so said my guide ; 

" He'd rather have him out of sight." 
But still he hoped that the fierce wind 

Would soon "take off" its keenest edge. 
His hopes were vain — it louder blew, 

And fiercer still the sea did rage. 

It was a wild, exciting scene, 

My mind was filled with solemn awe ; 
And yet I knew not what to think. 

For sunshine 'midst the clouds I saw. 
Two little specks of clear blue sky 

Spoke kindly to me, " Do not fear. 
Though clouds and tempests arc below. 

Do not despair, God still is near." 
This served awhile to check my fears ; 

I knew God saw us through the cloud. 
I took his Book and read with tears 

Long as I could, — sometimes aloud. 

But all the terrors of that day 

I must not hope to tell in verse ; 
But to some long-known friend I may 

Sometime the facts in prose rehearse. 
When moontide's hour had passed away, 

The gale became a hurricane ; 
Tlie waves arose and toAvercd high, 

And seemed commingled " sky and main," 
For sunshine now was out of sight ; 

'Twere vain to look for one " blue speck ;" 
My fears arose, as well they might, 

That our poor ship would be a wreck. 

The word was passed — all liands were called ; 
They gathered round, all wet and chilled, — 
Their chieftain near. Some axes held ; 



89 

Some, posts of greater danger filled. 
Two now were stationed at the wheel, 

Charged with the safety of the whole ; 
So anxious did the chieftain feel, 

Thus spake the feelings of his soul : 
"Now, my dear fellows, you well know 

Much, if not all, depends on you ; 
The easiest way now let her go, 

Try hard to keep from broaching to." 
The ship rolled boldly in the trough 

Of the huge seaa which o'er her broke — 
As on some ledge o'er which the surf 

Breaks loud and fierce at every stroke. 

While now 'twas hard on deck to stand, 

The chieftain he himself unshod, — 
Then with an axe in his own hand. 

Ready to spring and cut, — he stood. 
But God, who watched us, kindly gave 

His blessing on our helmsmen's skill; 
Both ship and men did well behave, 

Though sorely prest — they struggled still. 
Through the long night the vessel rolled, 

For slowly did the sea go down •, 
Those dreary hours, though wet and cold, 

I watched by him whose strength seemed gone. 
Yet God preserved us through the gloom 

And awful terrors of that storm. 
And saved us from the g»ping tomb 

Which opened wide in frightful form. 
****** 

Four years have passed — one sleeps in death — 

He who was then ray guide ani friend, 
With our poor ship, have sunk beneath 

The Atlantic's waves. This was their end. 
Some think an iceberg gave the blow 

(While on her way to Erin's shore) 
That broke the ship ; but all we know, 

She sailed away — was seen no more. 



90 

His farewell words, " God bless you," still 

Are ofttimes present to my mind, 
And none is left, but God, to fill 

The vac.int place'which there I find. 
To Him for safety then I'll go, 

Though in my zenith there may be 
No bright blue sky,— yet still I know. 

In darkest hours, God can see me. 



TO HATTIE. 



WRITTEN FOR AN ALBUM. 

Would that I might here inscribe some idea which would be to 
thee like the whisperings of an angel visitor, trying to attract thy 
attention to joys and pleasures far exceeding any thou hast yet 
dreamt^ of. I will therefore pray for the guidance of the Holy 
Spirit to aid me to find suitable words and thoughts for this pur- 
pose. 

Our Blessed Redeemer once said to a woman, " Martha ! Mar- 
tha ! thou art troubled about many things, but Mary hath chosen 
that good part which shall not be taken away from her." Might 
not such a reproof be given to many of us ? Are we not often 
troubled about things of but trivial importance, and neglectful of 
those of the highest interest ; or at least we are apt to put off the 
time when we purpose to attend to them. We neglect to learn 
wisdom at the feet of Jesus as did Mary on this memorable occa- 



91 

sion to her ; for Jesus said she had chosen the good part, and it 
should not be taken away from licr. The most costly articles we 
can think of, in the way of dress, style of living, equipage, &c., 
must at death bo taken from us, or we must leave it forever ; but 
the part which Mary's mind was fixed upon, will remain as hers 
forever and ever. It was her consolation at thi moment of death, 
and if her spirit be conscious now, it is her enjoyment; and in the 
morning of the resurrection it ivilL he her stay and support. 

Oh ! this priceless pearl I which all may possess if they will 
only seek for it ivith all their heart. Jesus likens the Kingdom 
of Heaven to a man who was seeking goodly pearls, and having 
found one of great value, sold all that he possessed and bought it. 
This is wisdom. Everything of an earthly nature should be freely 
given up, if it be necessary, in order to insure a pious life and 
preparation for eternity. 

The Apostles, when speaking of woman, says, let their adorning 
be in the inner man of the heart ; not with gold and pearls and 
costly array. For the ornament of a meek and a quiet spirit is 
of great price in the sight of God. 

We learn that during the lifetime of the Saviour upon earth, 
women were always His friends, and He was grateful for their 
kindness. On that occasion when a woman anointed His feet 
with precious ointment. He showed His approval of the motive 
which caused the act, and said, wherever the gospel was preached, 
there should this thing which she had done be told as a memorial 
of Iter. 

O, let us try to imitate those good women of old, for though 
Jesus is not here, he said, that whosoever received one of His 
messengers or disciples, received Him; and whoever gave one of 
them even a cup of water in His name, should not lose his reward. 
When we feed the hungry and clothe the naked, it is as meritori- 
ous in the sight of Jesus as if done for Himself Let us seek for 
the possession of that goodly pearl, whose lustre cannot be dimmed 
by age, but will enable us to shine as the stars forever and ever. 



92 

and will be our wedding ornament and our passport into the pres- 
ence chamber of the Bridegroom, when He comes to claim His 
bride and take her to His Father's house — there to present her 
free from spot or blemish, wrinkle or any deformit}' — purified by 
His own death from all imperfections of our nature. Oh ! let 
us see to it that we have within us that spirit which was in 
Jes-is. Your Friend. 



TO THE LOVERS OF PLEASURES. 

There are many persons whose time is almost exclusively devo- 
ted to the pursuit of amusement in some form ; or in forming 
plans relative to that object. To such persons the writer wishes 
to make some suggestions : First, — many places of public amuse- 
ment are attended with considerable expense, !Not long sincej 
while listening to the account of monies paid to persons in the 
employ of the Dramatic Company ; the feeling called forth in the 
mind of the writer, was the strong desire to have the amount thus 
toasted.^ expended for the benefit of the poor in the city. 

There is a large class of poor persons in our midst, living in 
filthy cellars and miserable garrets. Might not the money which 
is annually expended in public amusements, be applied to a better 
purpose, by getting up comfortable dwellings in the upper part of 
the city, expressly for the poor ; and let them be rented at a cheap 
rate, and in some extreme cases entirely free for a time ? 

Would not kind hearted, benevolent ladies and gentlemen take 
more real pleasure in contributing to such an object the amount 
they would spend in Balls and Theatres ; and even the Opera ; 



93 

than in visiting those places ? would not the blessing of the poor 
be a far sweeter pleasure than even Italian music of the most 
perfect kind. 

Our highest source of pleasure should be to obtain the favor of 
our Creator, to whom we are responsible for the manner in which 
we spend our time money, or talents ; neither of which was given 
us to be spent in expensive amistsements from which no profit can 
be derived. In benefiting our fellow creatures, or improving 
ourselves, we are doing what is pleasing to God. But in many 
places of fashionable entertainment, no improvement or real advan- 
tage is expected ; only the excitement or amusement for the time 
being, is at all cared for. Now for children, or weak-minded sick 
persons, an excuse might be found for spending time in this man- 
ner ; but for persons of mature years and judgment, surely some 
other mode of spending one's evenings might be found. 

Among the poor are many sick ; these might be visited, and 
great advantages gained by both parties. Let those who can sing 
well visit poor persons who are ill, and cheer their lonely hours by 
music and other offices of kindness. These ideas can be carried 
out^and extended by any one who has the means and the heart to 
seek the true source of enjoyment. Let any one make the experi- 
ment and they will never have cause to repent it in time or eter- 
nity. 

New York, December^ 1855. 



PERSONAL INCIDENTS. 



Severe winter — domestic trials — loss of the steamer — sus- 
pense — loss of the ship — incident on ship-board — STORM at 
sea — incidents — concluding observations. 

" They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in 
great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in 
the deep. For He commandeth and raise th the stormy wind, 
which hfteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heav- 
ens ; they go down again to the depths : their soul is melted be- 
cause of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunk- 
en man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the Lord 
in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He 
maketh the strorm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 
Then they are glad because they be quiet ; and He bringeth them 
to their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the Lord for 
his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men." 

How truthfully and poetically does the Psalmist express the 
idea of a stormy wind at sea, every sailor can testify. Yea, there 
are times when their soul is melted because of trouble. 

The winter of 1855-6 was one of the severest on record, if not 
the most severe. The worst gale of the season occurred about 
the 6th or 7th of January ; and it was said to be the most power- 
ful ever experienced by those who were exposed to its fury. The 
harbor of New York was obstructed by ice, and some ships lying 
at the Atlantic Docks, Brooklyn, near Greenwood Cemetery, were 
frozen into the ice so fast that it was impossible for them to get 
out to sea. Amongst these was the ship Havana, under the care 



96 

of Capt. Alexander Adams, the husband of the writer. This state 
of things was peculiarly disagreeable ; the weather was intensely 
cold, and being obliged to go across every day to the ship, and 
hoping to get out by some manner of means, from day to day, 
was very trying to Capt. A. Some other things, too, served to 
make him low-spirited besides these. The writer was in misera- 
ble health, and he had a strong presentiment that he would not 
live to return again — as he himself twice expressed it — he felt 
that this would be his " last voyage." However, it did not seem 
as if he felt that his death would occur on the passage out, for he 
seemed anxious to have all his summer clothing with him, in case 
the ship should go from Europe to the West Indies. Indeed, 
owing to some circumstances, he took every article of his wearing 
apparel with him, except something which was newly made, and 
that he had merely tried on. Every old garment had been re- 
paired, and was taken away with him. Such a circumstance had 
not occurred previously ; something was always left to be put in 
order in some way : but now, all went with him and the ill-fated 
ship. Once, while speaking to the writer before leaving, he said, 
" Jane, you will be disappointed in finding certain persons do for 
you as you expect, when I am taken away." The answer was to 
this effect : " Try not to be troubled on my account. I hope that 
God will take care of me." At times he spoke of his interest in 
the ship, and told the writer all about his business affairs, so far 
as he could. Happily for him, then, he did not dream or foresee 
all that was in the future with regard to these matters. 

On Saturday, the 19th of January, the ship sailed. The day 
was fine, and the weather continued tolerably favorable so far as 
we could judge, for some weeks. That winter was a trying one 
to the people of New York ; owing to the accumulation of snow 
and ice in the streets, it was almost impossible to get through 
them, either on foot or with a carriage. Then, at times, the 
weather was severe in the extreme. 



97 

About two weeks after the Havana sailed, the people began to 
look for the arrival of the steamer Pacific, for she left Liverpool 
on the 23d of January, four days after the 11. left New York. 
Days passed over, however, and the steamer came not. Great 
anxiety begun to be felt, which increased as week after week 
passed over, and ' other steamers came, but without bringing any 
reliable tidings of the missing one. True, there were tidings of 
various kinds, — that she had put back into Ireland, and that she 
was seen scudding northward, etc. These proved to be all false 
reports : As yet, nothing definite has been heard of her fate. 
Those who felt an interest in the Havana, hoped to hear from her 
in eight or ten weeks, at most, from her time of sailing. Long 
letters on fine French paper were written, and sent over to Lon- 
donderry ; — some other things even were sent over to meet those 
who sailed in her, upon their arrival there. In vain ! When 
eight weeks had passed over, then we began to be anxious ; but 
we heard that westerly winds had prevailed for some time along 
the English coast. This allayed our anxiety a little. Then, too, 
we remembered that ofttimes we had been very anxious before, 
and ready to give up all hope ; and yet we had learned that our 
friends were safe after all. Thus we fought with our anxious 
fears till three months passed over; various conjectures came 
into our minds, — sometimes thinking, that though the ship might 
be lost, yet perhaps the men might be saved by being taken on 
board of some other vessel, and carried to a distant port. When 
three months had elapsed and no tidings came of the Havana, 
our feelings were such that we hardly wish to bring them up to 
our minds again. Is he really gone ? Must it be that we shall 
meet no more ? — were the constant inquiries in our mind. Then 
we tried to come to God for help, to whom no one comes in vain. 
About this time one of the Insurance companies failed in New 
York, by which a considerable amount was lost on the ship. We 



98 

bore this first loss without murmuring ; but when, at a later period, 
other losses came, which took away nearly the whole amount for 
which the ship was insured, it was a bitter trial indeed. Thank 
God, that Capt. A. did not know that these failures would take 
place, and that in his last moments he felt a surety that the wri- 
ter was provided for, for some years at least. 

A word of explanation may be given, to account for such a 
singular occurrence. It was owing to the very great number of 
shipwrecks which happened during that severe winter and spring, 
that the insurance companies failed. The losses were more than 
they could bear. 

Some have believed that an iceberg struck the ship, and made 
a hole in her side, which caused her to sink. This may be so ; 
but as she was going to Ireland, — in the same track that the 
steamers come and go in, — and as the Pacific was on her way 
here at that time, and was never heard from again, there is a 
strong probability in the mind of the writer, that the two vessels 
met and had a collision, by means of which both perished. Some 
things occurred while the writer was on board the ship, which 
serves to render this idea very probable indeed ; and an account 
of some of these will be given as we proceed. As to the cer- 
tainty of any thing in such cases, we cannot have it till " the sea 
shall give up her dead." It is painful to think how much all 
these men may have sufiered in mind during their last hours, or 
moments, according to the circumstances in the case. There 
may have been days of extreme sufiering ; and again, perhaps, 
in half an hour after the blow was struck, all was over with them 
in time. But ! what sufie rings may be crowded into the space 
of half an hour, if all hope seems gone, and no way of escape 
appears for their relief. To God alone they must then look, both 
for themselves and those whom they must hope to see no more 
in the flesh. * * * 



99 

It may be stated here, that the first officer of the Havana had 
been recently engaged to a young lady in Brooklyn ; his name 
was Frank Emery ; his parents live in Hampden, Me. By the 
marriage of his half sister, he was connected with the Adams 
family. The second officer left a young wife to mourn his un- 
known fate. The names of the crew are unknown to the writer, 
though at the time they were given up, she sought information on 
this matter, but did not receive it. 

In the spring of 1852, the writer went to Liverpool in the ship 
Havana ; during this passage we encountered five very severe 
gales, — ^but a smaller circumstance will be related first. We were 
in St. George's channel ; it was a calm evening, not very bright 
nor beautiful, but moderately pleasant. About 8 P. M., our se- 
cond officer reported a steamer in sight ; we thought very httle of 
the affiiir ; it seemed hardly worth reporting, but the officer done 
what was his duty. We went out on deck and watched the 
steamer's lights for some minutes, fully beheving that she would 
go on her way astern of the ship, and without commg very close. 
All at once, however, the steamer changed her course, and came 
along towards us, so that she went as it were directly across our 
bows. At one time the writer felt that we must of necessity 
strike each other ; she got a lantern, and screamed pretty loudly ; 
others on board scolded at the boldness and daring of such an act 
on the part of those in the steamer. We just missed of striking 
her amidships, and barely that. Other occurrences of a similar 
kind, so far as danger of coUisions happening, oftentimes take 
place at sea. 

Now we will endeavor to give a plain account, in simple lan- 
guage, of a storm at sea ; not of our first one, on the passage 
above alluded to — that we have already attempted to portray in 
another article. It was the 7th of April, on Thursday — Holy 
Thursday — the day preceding Good Friday, when the gale com- 



100 

menced by squalls in the afternoon. No one seemed to fear any 
thing very bad, but the writer ; she had an idea that there would 
be a storm during the day, on Friday. The others thought the 
squalls would blow over soon. In this they were mistaken. The 
wind increased during the night to a furious and constant gale. 
About 5 A. M., on Friday, the writer arose and fastened the bin- 
nacle window, which had become unfastened ; this was quite a 
hard task for her to perform, — still she accomplished it ; but as 
she did so, the ship began to give a tremendous roll. She then 
endeavored to hold on by the sofa, but in vain ; and when she let 
go her hold, she was thro-wn over into a state-room opposite, strik- 
ing the back of her head on the side of the berth ; then she was 
lifted up from that position, and thrown directly into the berth by 
the motion of the vessel. The captain was now aroused, and 
seeing how she had been thrown, observed, " You are killed, my 
child ;" but though considerably hurt, she and he both found 
that something was the matter with the ship, though they knew 
not what. The first officer stamped on the deck, and called aloud 
for help. When the captain went out, he found the ship's decks 
full of water up to the highest rail. As he looked through the 
window, he exclaimed, " We are all afloat." At the time the 
vessel had that dreadful roll, she shipped a tremendous sea, which 
filled her decks, and carried away a water hogshead and some 
other things over the bulwarks. We would soon have been 
swamped, had not the force of the waters broken away the bul- 
warks, and thus made themselves a passage-way out again. At 
this time the wind was fair, though blowing dreadfully ; and mas- 
ter mariners never like to " lay a ship to," so long as the wind is 
fair. There is a kind of pride about these matters, as well as 
self-interest, to hurry the vessel on her way. Every mariner 
likes to say that he can manage a ship well, and keep her run- 
ing, even under very trying circumstances, so long as the wind is 



101 

fair. It may be observed, that on this passage our vessel was 
very cranky owing to the manner in which she was loaded. By 
this term is meant, that she would He down upon one side, instead 
of being firm and upright. We were also deeply laden, consider- 
ing the season of the year. 

Now to return from these explanatory remarks : After the 
captain saw the danger we were in, by attempting to run in such 
a sea and with such a gale, he resolved to " lay the vessel to^^ if 
this thing could be done ; for it is attended with difficulty, and some- 
times with danger, to get a vessel " laid to^'' in such a heavy storm. 

As soon as this measure was fixed upon, the captain came and 
told the writer to try to keep in the berth, and on the windward 
side, let ivliat would happen. He then managed to get the ves- 
sel " laid to." After this was done, he sat down on the leeward 
side of the cabin, and looked so sad and careworn that pity for 
him took up all the thoughts of the writer for awhile. She had re- 
solved to keep Good Friday as a fast day, and surely it was a 
solemn fast. Neither she or the captain tasted food till nearly 
night. At such times the captain never ate anything ; he could 
not eat when the ship was in danger ; and this day she laid so 
low down on her side as to render it almost impossible to get to 
the windward side of her. The deck was like an inclined plane. 
It was just as much as the steward could do to reach the writer a 
mug of coftee into her berth. Of coui'se no table is spread at 
such times ; whatever food is already prepared, is got hold of, and 
with some warm cofiee, the officers get down in a corner and hold 
on while they eat. The writer wished occasionally to speak to 
her husband, but he could not get up to the side where she lay in 
the berth, on account of the difficulty we have already mentioned. 

On this morning, soon after the ship was laid to, the officer 
again called out in tones of terror, " A large ship is bearing right 
down upon us." The captain did not go out at first ; perhaps 



102 

he thought it would be useless, for he could do nothing. He had 
just said, " The ship was in God's hands now ; he had done all for 
her that he could do." In a little while the officer called again, 
for God's sake to do something, this large ship was " coming right 
upon us." The captain went out ; the writer sprung out of bed, 
with the intention of doing something, and with the feeling that 
we were destined to be lost that morning. Just at this time a 
heavy sea struck the ship, which made a crash similar to what 
another ship might be supposed to make by striking us, and for a 
minute it seemed as if our last moments had really come. It 
happened, however, in the order of God's providence, that the 
other ship went by without touching us. 

But perhaps some persons may not exactly understand our po- 
sition, and the danger of being run into while " lying to." The 
writer cannot explain this as a seaman would ; but suffice it to 
say, that when a ship is "lying to," she is in a similar condition 
to a horse which is kept in place by a weight let down upon 
the ground, having a string attached, which confines it to the 
carriage. If another horse should come at full gallop towards 
the horse which is fastened, the latter could do very little to help 
himself keep clear of him. 

Our danger on this sad morning arose from the fear that the 
men on board of the other ship would not or could not perceive 
but what we were under headway, and consequently in a condi- 
tion to help to keep our ship from being struck by them ; besides, 
if they believed we were running, they would naturally suppose 
that we would not remain where we were then, but would be get- 
ting further on every moment ; and thus they would steer very 
differently from what they would, could they only know that we 
were in a measure tied fast, and unable to help ourselves to get 
out of their way. 

We have said, this was a solemn Fast day ; yes, so far as the 
writer was able alone by herself to make preparation for death, 



103 

she did so. Many things were thought of, and, as far as could 
be, matters were settled between herself and God. But her time 
was not yet ; many bitter trials were to be borne ere her passport 
to go home is sealed. 

The dreadful day wore away ; — towards night, as the writer 
had anticipated, the wind went down a little, but only a very little. 
Still, this slight abatement gave the captain courage to eat a mor- 
sel of bread at the hour for the evening repast. After dark, he 
thought he would try to get the ship under sail again, and act- 
ually did get her going for a few minutes ; but there seemed to 
be a strange pressure upon her, bearing her down : it seemed an 
unusual feeling or sensation, just as if she were completely water- 
logged and could not move along. The idea of running was 
therefor abandoned, and they again *' laid the ship to " till the 
next day. 

Some misfortunes bring others in their train ; to add to our 
troubles on this occasion, two of our men got hurt considerably 
during the time of this gale ; one got thrown while at the wheel, 
and another fell on the main deck. In small merchant ships, 
these accidents are felt by all on board, because there are no 
supernumeraries carried in them ; and at all times, but more par- 
ticularly in time of a storm, all the help is needed that can possi- 
bly be obtained, and the loss of one man's assistance is felt very 
much. On Saturday morning, the ship jumped about more than 
on the day previous ; and the writer, being then tired and nearly 
worn out, it was very hard to bear this continual jerking. For 
some time the feeling in her mind was, that if she only had some 
quiet place to get into, where she could lie down and die, she 
would be thankful ; for it seemed impossible to die even, while 
being jolted and knocked about all the time. It is hard work to 
hold on and keep in the berth sometimes. After one gale, the 
writer observed that her arms were blackened in places, as if they 



104 

had been bruised by the efforts in holding on. On Saturday after- 
noon the gale had sufficiently abated, that the ship was again got 
under headway, and on Sunday the weather grew more moderate 
every hour. Monday — Easter Monday — was the finest day we 
had on this passage. On Sunday evening, the writer observed 
to the captain, " We have passed through a dreadful scene." 
" Yes," he rephed, " but I would give ten dollars to see a pano- 
ramic view of the ship, as she lay with her rail nearly down to the 
water's edge on Friday." 

We feel that we have hardly told half what might be said con- 
cerning things on board ship during a storm. Some nights the 
vessel would roll fearfully for the whole night, and the sea would 
break against her stern, or over the house, with such force, that 
one would think the timbers must be forced inward and broken. 
There is great danger when the sea strikes against the stern. On 
one occasion, the captain feared the ship would be broken in by 
this means, and told the writer that he would give a large amount 
of money if she were then at home : he told her just what he fear- 
ed. An hour afterwards he retired, being very weary with long 
and anxious watching. Soon afterwards, a sea broke against the 
stern, with seemingly greater fury than previously, so that the 
writer felt that what the captain dreaded had surely taken place. 
But though she sprung out of the berth, expecting to see every 
thing smashed to pieces, she soon found that it had done no very 
great damage. 

Once the writer held on to the mizzen-mast for safety, as long 
as her strength would hold out, and then had to sink down on the 
wet floor, for there was no dry place to be found, nor any appar- 
ent safe place. 

When the captain expected the ship would " broach to," he told 
the writer, when the ship laid down, to get into one of the state- 
rooms on the upper side, and endeavor to remain there till he 



105 

could release her. At another time, when our cargo shifted, he 
sent her word by the steward to put on thick clothing, and be 
ready to go into the boat. His request was complied with, but 
only from courtesy ; for she fully believed she could not live in 
an open boat in such a sea as was then running. However, one 
of those seas came and lifted the boat from the davits where she 
was fastened, and carried her off with the oars. Thus we would 
have had hard work to leave the ship, had it come to a positive 
necessity for us to do so ; but we were spared that necessity. 
They managed to get the ship turned round, so that the wind 
blew against the side to which the cargo had fallen, and after 
twenty hours hard labor, and with the ship heading the contrary 
way to what was our true course, the cargo was again got into 
place, so that we turned round again, and resumed our journey. 

Perhaps some may say, " ! sailors do not mind storms ; they 
get used to them." Some persons may get burned and hurt 
many times, but there is no such thing as getting so used to dan- 
ger as not to mind it. 

Sailors have a large share of pride — false pride, perhaps ; they 
will never own afterwards that they were afraid on any occasion. 
They will tell you they rather thought or feared the ship would be 
lost, but then they were not afraid! 0, no ; they must go or die 
some time, and it made but little difference to them when the time 
came. We will not exactly say, that the sailor speaks falsely, 
when he talks thus ; still we know it is but partly true. Every 
seaman knows that all his energies are needed on these trying 
occasions, and all his powers are on the alert to do whatever may 
be suggested for the safety of the vessel. There is httle time to 
indulge in feelings ; bold, prompt action is needed then. But let 
not those who slumber in peaceful dwellings, on downy pillows, 
think that the sailor does not feel and suffer in consequence of 
these storms ; his mental and bodily energies are often overtaxed 



106 

to the utmost ; and if he can sleep in the midst of severe gales, it 
is from this cause. There are many men of fine feelings who fol- 
low the sea. Though some become bad by mixing with all classes 
during their boyhood, others remain uncontaminated even in a 
ship's forecastle, and practice their religion in the best way they 
can. It needs true courage to be a Christian on shipboard ; still, 
many contrive to exercise this courage, and we trust the time 
will soon come when more mariners will be led to do the same. 
Surely, the sailor ought always to be pious, both for his own sake 
and for the sake of those friends at home, who are ever anxious 
about him while at sea. Those who cross the ocean in summer 
time in a fine steamer, and make the passage in two weeks, may 
not have experienced any such trials as we have ; probably not : 
they must go to Liverpool in the winter, and in the blustering 
spring months, to have so many gales. Yet we have experienced 
a heavy gale on the Fourth of July, when, instead of celebrating 
the day by havuag something nice prepared for dinner, w^e were 
forced to keep in our berth, and our men were hard at work the 
whole day, even though it was Sunday. 

In conclusion : we beg our readers to pity the sailor, and pray 
for him, whether he be in the cabin or forecastle. In either 
place he has his share of suffering and hardship to endure, till 
often his constitution and spirits are broken down. Pray for him, 
that he may have grace to pray for himself ; and, if opportunity 
offers, to give him a good book or a kind word, or look, do it with 
a good will. Various means are in operation for the conversion 
of seamen ; were they all pious men, the work of converting the 
heathen nations abroad would be comparatively easy. So far as 
opportunity offers to assist in these efforts, we trust all our read- 
ers will lend a helping hand, till the abundance of the sea is con- 
verted to the Lord. 



-^ 109 

verse of fortune. Dear reader, the bottle had been a guest too 
often at their board, — not table. 

The bottle and the jug are not only jealous but greedy visitors ; 
they are not content with monopolizing all attention to themselves, 
but soon eat up the resources for enjoying the company of truer 
and better friends at the social repast. 

During our conversation with these persons, the lady observed 
that there was such a thing as the heart becoming calloused. She 
spoke as if she thought her own had become dead to suffering, but 
in this we feel that she was mistaken. No, no ; her heart was not 
calloused, or dead in any of its emotions so long as its life pulses 
continued to beat. The pressure upon her mind was doubtless 
very great ; and the worst of the evil was, she saw no ray of hope 
that things could or would be any better. They considered it im- 
possible for him ever to regain his lost position as a clergyman ; and 
the idea of being a useful instructor of youth in a small community 
such as he was there engaged in, was not a sufficient inducement to 
excite his ambition to do all the good he could in the present ; and 
leave the future to a higher Providence than his own. It was 
owing in a great degree to their keen sensibility to the change in 
their circumstances that caused them to seek for an alleviation of 
their suffering from a wrong source. Had they possessed true piety 
they would have been able to have borne things calmly and sub- 
missively, and in time, perhaps, brighter days would have dawned 
on them. Mr. and Mrs. E. spent some time in the vicinity of 
St. Johns and other parts of the province. They often received 
remittances of money and clothing from relatives in England ; but 
those gifts were too soon exchanged for what was intended to be as 
the waters of Lethe to their troubled minds. Vain delusion ! 
Being a member of the Masonic fraterity, Mr. E. was often aided 
by these brethren ; his debts were occasionally paid up, and himself 
dragged from the brink of the pit, and set on firm ground where 



no 

he might have regained his respectability, if he had only resolved 
to deny himself the indulgence of the intoxicating draught. It may 
here be observed, that there was a very great difference between 
the wines and liquors these persons had formerly drank in England 
and what they were in the habit of buying after they came to this 
country. Mr. E. could drink a great deal of wine at a gentleman's 
table without showing the effects of it ; but the poor stuff that his 
wife drank at home soon overpowered her nerves, her system not 
being sustained by the nourishing food she had enjoyed during her 
early hfe. 

After a period of five or six years' stay in the Provinces, Mr. 
Edwards became ashamed of giving his friends so much trouble ; 
perhaps observing that they grew weary of trying to assist one 
who did them no credit. He, therefore, resolved to try his for- 
tune in " the States," and by some providence found his way, 
with his wife and child, to the banks of the Potomac. 

In the winter of 184-, a vessel from the eastern part of Maine 
visited the port of Alexandria, having on board of her, as an offi- 
cer, a young man who knew Mr. Edwards, and who was some- 
what surprised by a visit from that gentleman on board the brig. 
Mr. E. said he had been seeking employment, but had been un- 
successful ; and stated further that he had eaten nothing for a 
day or two. Some food was placed before him, of which he ate 
as if half famished. But we now hasten to the denouement of our 
story. 

It was late in February. All was gaity at the nation's capi- 
tal. The representatives from all parts of this wide-spread Union, 
— gay ladies as well as grave and sedate gentlemen, — were gath- 
ered there, the former for fashion and pleasure, the latter on mat- 
ters of business for their own and their country's good, but which 
they had most at heart we will not pretend to divine. Some, 
doubtless, were really and truly devoted to the interests of the 



107 



THE CALLOUSED HEART; 

OR....A SAD BUT TRUE TALE. 



While on a visit at one of the islands in Passamaquoddj Bay, 
near the eastern part of Maine, I became acquainted with an EngUsh 
family who at that time resided there — the gentleman filling the 
office of school teacher on the island. On one occasion when I 
called to see this family, they told me some particulars of their 
history and misfortunes which I shall relate briefly as follows : — 

Emily was the only daughter of Captain Wilson, who, during 
her youth, had the command of a steamer in the service of the 
British Government. His wife and daughter sometimes accom- 
panied him to different places on the Mediterranean ; once if not 
oftener they went to Alexandria in Egypt. As has long been the 
custom, wines and liquors were used freely on board the steamer ; 
no one fearing that the bright girl, who was the pride of two hearts, 
was then forming a habit which would cause her degradation. 

Emily had repeated opportunities of being united in marriage to 
some who would have been calculated to make her life happy ; but, 
unfortunately, her heart either remained untouched, or caprice, or 
pride prevented such a desirable result. When about the age of 
eighteen, she was deprived of the guardianship of her mother ; and 
some months after this event, went to reside with her relatives in 
a part of England, at some distance from the British capital. 

At this place, Emily became acquainted with Mr. Edwards, who 
was a graduate of Oxford, and had already been admitted to holy 
orders. In this gentleman's early history, there are some pas- 



108 

sages which we will pass over in silence ; merely observimg, that 
a systematic and college education, is not of itself sufficient to 
qualify a man for the offices of the gospel ministry. Mr. Edwards 
won the hand of Emily in marriage ; but for the transfer of the 
more dehcate gift of the rich affections of the heart, we fear that 
all was not quite right in that respect. A few years after 
his marriage, Mr. E. was guilty of some imprudence which caused 
him to " lose his gown^^ or in other terms, he was expelled from 
the pulpits of the Established Church. Nothing now remained 
for him to do but to seek an asylum in one of the Provinces, for 
his wounded pride prevented his remaining in England with any 
degree of comfort. 

She and Mr. Edwards had friends who were willing to assist 
them to some extent, and though Emily's father was now deceased, 
other relatives spoke words of consolation and good counsel ; but 
alas ! they were of little avail. 

New Brunswick became the retreat of the fugitives ; and teach- 
ing, ever the resource of the unfortunate among the educated 
classes, the employment by which Mr. Edwards hoped to maintain 
himself and family. Poor Emily, who perhaps had seldom entered 
into a kitchen during her unmarried hfe, knew very little about 
housewifery in its more important branches. Her neighbors some- 
times made observations about her want of skill in the preparation 
of jBsh, and other articles for the table ; forgetting that her early 
life had been spent in pursuits entirely different from theirs, and 
that she probably knew many things of which they were entirely 
ignorant. At the time we called on this family, their room was 
destitute of almost every article necessary for comfort or con- 
venience. They both expressed a w^ish for us to remain till their 
meal was prepared : or to come and take a cup of tea with them 
sometime ; but, — but, ah ! there was a but, they had no means of 
serving a meal respectably, to set it before a stranger. Sad re- 



113 

est morning light the father went forth to obtain tidings of his 
wife. After some inquiries, he learned what had taken place the 
preceding day, as we have already stated it, and in sadness bent 
his steps to the place where the dead body had been conveyed. 
It were vain to attempt to portray his feelings as he came in 
sight of those pale features and that inanimate form, which he im- 
mediately recognized as belonging to his wife. Already weak 
from hunger aiid anxious watching, no wonder he too sunk down 
for a time ; but with some assistance he rallied and told his story, 
and received some relief for his immediate wants and those of his 
child ; but nature's powers with him had received too severe a 
shock to continue their action much longer. He stated that for 
two or three months previous he and his family had subsisted 
solely by the charity of strangers, and had often been in want of 
food and fuel. Notwithstanding that Mr. E. was taken to a place 
where he received sufficient food, yet the severe blow which he 
had received in the death of his wife in such a manner, added to 
his previous privations, so affected his system that in the course of 
a few weeks he was laid by strangers in the public burial-place. 
The little girl, who bears the name of a distinguished English 
writer, to whom the family was related, was taken to an orphan 
asylum for a time, and subsequently sent to England, to the kind 
relatives who had made public inquiries for her deceased parents. 
It would seem that for some reason these persons had not com- 
municated to their relatives their removal to the States. Thus, 
though presents were sent to the Provinces for them, they failed to 
reach them, no one having instructions to forward the articles. 
We may conclude by saying, in the language of Scripture, truly 
" The way of the transgressor is hard.'' 

One remark, in conclusion : I have sometimes regretted that I 
did not take more pains to inspire hope in the minds of these per- 
sons, and use my feeble endeavors to lead them to a better state 



114 

of feelings. True, my opportunity was limited ; my stay in their 
vicinity but short ; yet how often do some people accomplish very 
much good even in a shorter time. I hope, if any of the readers 
of this story should ever meet with any persons who think their 
sufferings have been so great that their hearts have become cal- 
loused to them, that they will try to do or say something to impart 
a ray of warmth and cheerfulness, which may dispel the gloom 
and depression of spirits which weigh so heavily upon them, and 
which may inspire some hope and animation to revive the heart 
into proper tone and action. 

" Deal gently with the erring ones ! 

Thou mayest yet win them back, 
By holy words and gentle tones 

From misery's thorny track. 
Kemember thou hast often sinned. 
And sinful yet may be ; 
Deal gently with the erring ones, 
As God has dealt with thee." 



TO YOUNG CONVERTS 



During a season of revival which took place recently, I was 
present at a few meetings, and heard advanced Christians address 
the young converts very earnestly, advising them to be faithful to 
the end, no matter what difficulties they might meet with, and 
also warning them that they must expect a great many hindrances 
and obstacles in their way while pursuing a religious hfe. While 
thinking over this matter, I felt hke saying something to this effect 
to young converts and others : — 



Ill 

nation, — others, we fear, were somewhat selfish in their desires. 
Not only did these gentlemen and ladies fare sumptuously every 
day, but the feast was spread for their entertainment nightly ; 
and music and gaiety beguiled the hours of darkness, and, we fear, 
kept some from enjoying proper repose to fit them for the impor- 
tant labors for which they were assembled at Washington, at the 
expense of the nation. 

In an obscure part of this fair city other scenes are witnessed, 
for poverty has her victims even within the shadows of opulence 
and grandeur. 

On a clear but chilly morning, a woman was seen leaving 
an old dilapidated building in one of the poorest streets, having 
on but scanty covering to shelter her from the keenness of the air. 
After crossing a few streets, she approached some which bore a 
better appearance in every respect, and now she began the ac- 
complishment of her errand. By picking her way over the ice 
she reached the common entrance to two or three dwellings, and 
asked of the inmates for some cold food for her child at home. 
At one she received nothing ; at another some dry crusts and 
pieces were given her, which could be soaked in water and made 
eatable. The woman's steps begin to falter, for she has had no 
breakfast ; but she resolves to make one more trial, and was ob- 
served advancing to the side door of a respectable looking build- 
ing ; but ere she reached it she fell, from seeming weakness. 
The inmates went out and raised the prostrate form, which was 
taken into a house near by, and restoratives were applied to bring 
the poor woman to consciousness, but in vain. It was too late. 
A cup of warm drink and some proper food, given half an hour 
sooner, would have prevented this catastrophe ; but now the 
powers of nature had been too severely taxed, and refused to 
rally again. The vital spark fled before any information could be 
gained as to the unfortunate being who had perished from hunger 



112 

and cold. The corpse was conveyed to a public place for recog- 
nition, where it remained till the time of interment. 

Let us now return to that dilapidated building, from which the 
woman issued forth in the morning. In a clean but comfortless 
looking apartment, are a man, rather past the prime of life, but 
on whose countenance sorrow rather than years had left furrows and 
wrinkles, and a child, — a little girl about four years old. The man 
is now pacing the floor, but frequently stops to listen for a foot- 
step, or goes to the well-patched window to see if he can get a 
glimpse of some one ; and yet he knows that window does not look 
into the street by which he expects the person to come. He 
gets almost besides himself as the day advances. The day pre- 
vious was stormy, and his poor wife could not go out to make 
calls for charity, either for herself or others. Their food was all 
eaten the evening previous, and this day they have had none. 
At times, the little girl bursts out and cries, and then is hushed 
into silence by being told that her mother will surely come soon. 
We need hardly tell the reader that this man was Mr. Edwards. 
He had still been unsuccessful in the pursuit of business. Per- 
haps his clothing had become too shabby for him to be noticed by 
those who might have employed him. 

Most anxiously did Mr. Edwards and his little daughter look 
for the return of the wife and mother during that sad afternoon 
and evening. She had gone out to try to procure the means of 
sustenance from those who might be kind enough to give ; but 
when she returned not, her husband became overwhelmed with ap- 
prehension. Sleep flies from the pillow of the wretched, and 
surely Mr. E. was wretched then. The records which conscience 
had been keeping for years are spread out before him, and the 
wretched man writhes in agony of spirit. 

After severe weeping the child fell asleep, for its conscience 
was as yet " void of offence." Leaving it in bed, with the earli- 



115 

Set your aims high ; resolve to be very pious indeed. If you 
have read the lives of eminently pious persons, make it your en- 
deavor to be as devoted to God as they were. When a child, I 
read the Life of the Rev. Jonathan Edwards. All I remember 
of his early history at present is, that at one time he was in the 
habit of praying five times in a day. Most earnestly do I wish 
that I had followed his example in this respect. And here let me 
speak of the power of habit. Endeavor to get into right habits. 
Be as regular in your devotional exercises as in eating your meals. 
Be regular and systematic in all things. Waste not a moment of 
precious time, except in needful recreation for the benefit of 
health. Let your reading be in such books as will elevate your 
mind to pious resolves, purposes and feelings ; — not in those which 
merely excite and entertain, without making you any wiser or bet- 
ter ; for this kind of reading is a waste of something besides time, 
being an expenditure of mental effort, and, sometimes, sympathetic 
feelings, which positively injure the health. Let all your labors 
and reading have some object in view, either the pursuit of 
knowledge or piety. 

Again I say, set your aims high. Let every one see that you 
mean in reality what you profess. By this means you will avoid 
some kinds of temptation, which I will illustrate in this way : — Let 
your pastor go down into the lower streets, and let him stand and 
talk with seamen, or others, who congregate about the ships where 
rum is sold and games are played. No man will attempt to in- 
vite him in to join those games or to drink with him. But if a 
young lad should be hanging round those places, who was not 
supposed to be very firm or pious, most likely some of them would 
invite him to drink or play. It is the same with regard to visit- 
ing places of amusement of a more respectable kind, as balls, 
theatres, &c. If you are once known to be firm as a rock against 
all appearance of evil, you will seldom or never be invited to join 



IIG 

with others in things which even they, most of them, think would 
not be right for a Christian to take a part in. It may be that 
some persons will avoid you, but this, though a little unpleasant, 
is no great evil. Use great kindness in your manner of treating 
these persons, and perhaps you may be the means of saving them. 
But some may quote the words, — 

" But of all the foes we meet, 
None so apt to turn our feet, 
None betray us into sin, 
Like the foes we have within," 

Admitting this to be so, our own passions are our worst enemies ; 
yet by pursuing the course I recommend, these will be kept under 
pretty well. If the mind is filled with good plans and ideas, evil 
thoughts will find no door of entrance ; and if anger occasionally 
is likely to spring up, you will be more likely to think in time that 
it is wrong, and then endeavor to restrain your words and con- 
duct. 

Be careful to keep holy the Sabbath day. Many promises 
are given in the Old Testament to those who honor the Lord's 
day. Young converts, if you follow these suggestions you will 
have less trouble than some would lead you to expect. I know 
that in youth the mind is buoyant and hopeful, and, consequently, 
not so readily discouraged at the difiiculties of which it is fore- 
warned. This is as it should be, for God hath so ordered it that 
while the body is immature the mind should be more free from 
corroding care and anxiety, and no wise person will wish to make 
things different from what the Creator has formed them. 

But, my friends, I do not say there are no difficulties in the 
Christian's pathway while in this life ; I only wish to direct you 
to the best means of avoiding them. Another thing worthy of 
earnest consideration is this, that in trials and hindrances in our 
pursuits which may occur, God is perfectly aware of all that takes 



117 

place ; and if when as soon as opportunity offers, or mentally, we 
breathe a prayer to Him for help, we may rely upon it that, if it 
be best, the evil will be removed, or we shall be able to bear it. 
The Christian is not driven to despair by afflictions, like the man 
who lives without God in the world, for he can throw the burden 
off his mind upon God, and leave it at his disposal. Trials are to 
the Christian as the furnace to the gold, to purify and refine, till 
the Maker can see his own image reflected therein. The reason 
why some of us have temptations is because we are only half 
Christians. How few of us take Jesus for an example, and yet 
nothing short of that should satisfy those who take his name, and 
call themselves his disciples. If it be said that Jesus had trials 
and temptations, I ask did he ever submit to them ? No, not 
even when suffering from hunger and fatigue did he yield, but 
bore the trial the appointed time. He neglected no duty ; he 
observed secret prayer ; and he was kind to the poor, and the 
aged, and the sick. 

Now, permit me to state that our duties are not confined to 
attending meetings, and prayers, and religious conversation. 
There have been many eminently pious persons whose fives were 
devoted to pious works, who were not in the habit of ever speak- 
ing in pubfic meetings. They belonged to societies where it was 
not expected of them ; but in their ministrations to the sick and 
the poor, and the ignorant, they could tell the story of the Cross, 
and expatiate on the theme of redemption ; and in their closets, 
with their pens, some have left evidences of their close communion 
with God. It is in the domestic circle and in the private walks 
of life, that most Christians have their appropriate field of labor. 
Not that they are to be always speaking on rehgious subjects, but 
by speaking kindly, and pleasantly, and respectfully to all persons 
they come in contact with. If an aged person is a member of 
the family, though poor and dependent, yet he or she should be 



118 

treated respectfully. Perhaps these have brought up children, 
and done their work in years gone by. Treat them kindly now. 

Some yonng persons, who really think they wish to be religious, 
are yet wanting in reverence and respect to persons of advanced 
years, but who now, unfortunately, are poor and dependent on 
their children. If we study the Bible carefully, we may discover 
that there is as much piety in showing proper reverence to the 
aged, and to those who are much older than ourselves, as there is 
in attending religious meetings ; indeed, far more, for too often 
we go to meeting for other reasons than to worship God and pro- 
mote his cause. It is only mockery for us to attend rehgious 
meetings, while we neglect our daily duties in the family circle, 
of treating all with love, kindness and respect. 

We too often forget our home duties to our nearest relatives and 
others, because, alas ! true religion has but a faint hold upon us. 
I fear the rehgion that too many of us have is merely a knowledge 
or consciousness of what we ought to be, and what we ought to 
do ; but we still lack the necessary feelings and inclinations which 
lead us to be kind and good, forgiving and charitable, even to the 
uncharitable. Do you ask, how shall we obtain these feehngs ? 
By earnest, continued prayer. I know of no other way. As be- 
fore observed, Jesus prayed in secret, and sometimes spent whole 
nights in prayer. I do not say any one should do this last, unless 
the case be an extreme one. We may remember, too, that Jesus 
said we must watch and pray. If wrong feelings or a cross word 
are ready to arise, try to restrain and check them quickly. Prac- 
tise self-denial, if need be. Try to live to God and for him, and 
not to yourselves. Let your adornment be in the inner part of 
the heart. Seek most of all things to please God, and rely upon 
it, if you do this last. He is able to save you in times of temp- 
tation, and to make you perfect unto every good work. His 
grace is suflficient for all things. 



119 



ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE CALLED CHRISTIANS. 



It is with some hesitancy that the writer commences this arti- 
cle. Had she practised, in her past Ufe, that exalted state of 
piety which she intends here to advocate, this might in part be 
spared. It has been observed by some that we need to live one 
half of a common lifetime, in order to see how we should Hve and 
conduct ourselves in the various relations we sustain in life. In 
taking a retrospective view of the past, too many of us, alas ! see 
with pain and remorse the mistakes, and errors, and follies of 
which we have been guilty. We are also ready to palliate those 
offences by whatever excuses can be brought to bear upon them 
in any degree ; and as every individual knows his or her faults 
and frailties better than any other person knows them, so they too 
know best what peculiar circumstances led to the commission of 
those things which they afterwards regret, and also how far they 
were excusable for those acts better than any other person can 
judge concerning them. Yet, with all the mitigating circum- 
stances which can be brought up in our defence, when conscience 
does her perfect work, she shows us that it was the want of true 
piety in the heart which caused us to speak as we should not have 
spoken, and to get excited or angry when patience and quietness 
would have been right, and far more proper and fitting the char- 
acter we had taken upon us as Christians. Not to dwell longer 
upon this point, we will only add that since the past cannot be re- 
called, nor those whom we have injured and made unhappy by 
any of our misdoings, be repaid by us for the sufferings we have 
caused them, we can only turn to God and humbly beg his for- 
giveness for our offences, and ask and beseech earnestly for the 



120 

gift of the Holy Spirit, not only to convince us of sin, but to keep 
us from committing any thing grievous in the future ; and incline 
our hearts to feel right and to do good, that if there be any oppor- 
tunity for making amends for past transgressions, we may readily 
and thankfully embrace it. 

The design of this Essay is to advocate the highest degree of 
piety in the denomination called Christians, and who are rather 
inclined to be proud that they are called by no lesser name than 
His, who is the Head both of the visible and the invisible church, 
which He bought and purchased with liis blood. The idea struck 
the writer, not long since, that if we take Christ's name, par 
excellence, and boast of being untrammelled by party names and 
creeds and opinions of men, or bodies of men, — submitting to no 
authority less than Jesus and his immediate followers, — those who 
learned their religion either from Him or by the direct influence 
of the Holy Spirit, — that we ought, in order to be consistent, be 
the most pious and godly people, both collectively and individually, 
of any denomination of professing Christians ; — our position abso- 
lutely demands it. 

Shall we here inquire. Are we among the foremost in every 
good work according to our means ? We are not a wealthy de- 
nomination, and cannot, therefore, give so largely as some others 
to the popular efforts for evangelizing the world. Do we endeavor 
to do good privately, according to our means and abilities, in the 
various ways that occasionally offer for the benefit, temporally and 
spiritually, of our fellow-men ? Are we less conformed to the 
world in our style, dress and manner of Hving, according to our 
abihties to indulge ourselves, than any other class of professing 
Christians ? Are we more ready to deny ourselves certain grati- 
fications, in order that we may be more able to help the poor, 
whether of our own people or belonging to other sects, or who 
belong to no rehgious society ? Are we more pious, more prayer- 



121 

ful, more wholly devoted to God and his service and the good of 
the world, than those of other sects ? Do we truly imitate Christ 
and obey his precepts, practising Love, Charity, Brotherly Kind- 
ness, Patience, Temperance, Meekness, Godhness, more than any 
other denomination, — really imitate Christ and practise these 
Christian graces ? 

It might be highly improper to argue or intimate that we were 
not so pious as some other denominations. This is not the point 
we wish to discuss. We want to estabhsh the principle that, tak- 
ing the high ground which we do in our name, as a body we 
should endeavor to make it honorable, — ^honorable in the sight of 
God, that he could look upon us with delight, and acknowledge us 
to be consistent followers and disciples of his Son. It is written, 
Be ye holy as I am holy. Be ye holy in all manner of conversa- 
tion. Be ye perfect as your Father which is in heaven is perfect, 
&c. One has said, she saw not how any one could take the name 
of Christian, without trying to be like Christ in life and character. 
Do we think enough of the importance of imitating Christ ? Our 
object here is to awaken attention to this momentous subject, that 
those who read these questions may ponder them deeply, and be 
led, if they are not as pious as they might wish to be at the hour 
of death, to seek for more piety, — more of the divine influence to 
mould their hearts into a likeness to Christ's. 

In the course of the writer's experience, she has found some of 
the most pious people in all the denominations ; and, unfortu- 
nately, also, some belonging to all those denominations who were 
yet lacking in this high degree of piety which she is advocating. 

Among CathoUcs, Episcopahans, Presbyterians, Methodists, 
Friends, Baptists, and in the Christian denomination, the writer 
has found some of the excellent of the earth. It is not joining 
with, or belonging to any society, that makes a person truly pious. 
It ia the operation of the Holy Spirit on the heart, when it is 



122 

sought for and cherished by the individual, which makes him or 
her godly ; and as God is no respecter of persons, he is ready to 
bestow this gift on those who ask him, in all nations and in all 
societies. 

Some bodies of Christians profess to take care of their own 
poor. It is said that we never see a member of the society of 
Friends begging. A great deal may be done in a private manner 
for the poor of a society, without their being able to say, " We 
take care of all our poor.'' ^ Yet were there a systematic effort 
made, and all the members of a society were willing to live plainly 
and dress plainly, that they might be able to give more, this might 
more easily be done. It may be observed here, that were a whole 
society to renounce the love of show and finery and making an 
appearance, there would be no self-denial about the matter. A 
sister of charity feels no shame in walking the most fashionable 
street with her close-fitting bonnet and plain dress. She walks 
as dignified as a queen, with her mind bent on her mission, know- 
ing it is something which meets the approving smile of heaven. 
A member of the society of Friends feels no shame in wearing 
an old-fashioned garment. 

By thus systematizing these matters there is no longer any 
sacrifice of individual feeling, or but little. However, let us say 
here that we do not advocate any color or style ; only simplicity 
and the absence of great expense. There is no more mere merit 
in wearing a drab satin or velvet dress than a blue or a red one. 
Indeed, for young persons we would advocate their wearing pretty 
colors, and all the colors with which God clothes the fields in 
beautiful array. But let unnecessary expense be avoided, that 
some poorer person may not feel that she cannot go to church be- 
cause she has not something sufficiently nice to wear in the seat 
beside you, or in a seat in your vicinity. 

If a large portion of a denomination adopt any plan, the others 



123 

are ready to fall in "with it ; and if it be reallj a good plan, even 
other societies may adopt it. In one society, there is considera- 
ble said on the subject of perfect holiness at this time. It would 
be out of place here to say much on this subject ; but it would be 
well for us all to try to be as holy as we can, and try to prove 
in ourselves, if Jesus has not power, by means of the Holy Spirit, 
to keep us from being under the power and dominion of sin, 
even in this Ufe. Yea, let us prove this point, and be willing to 
yield ourselves a " willing sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto 
God," — " that we may be transformed by the renewing of our 
mind, that we may prove what is the acceptable and perfect will 
of God." When we come to fully understand this subject, we 
find there is nothing more in it than many of us have always be- 
lieved. We have heard plain people say, many years ago, " a 
person may have as much religion in his heart as he is willing to 
live for." Perhaps it should be said, " as he is willing to exer- 
cise." But we hardly meant to say so much on this subject. On 
some points we feel the necessity of speaking carefully. 

When the writer was in New Orleans she heard some persons 
speaking of a reHgious society which took care of their own people, 
or put them in a way to help themselves. Some encomiums of 
praise were bestowed on this society for pursuing the good plans, 
and it was said they called themselves Christians, and took no 
other name. On visiting their place of worship the following 
Sunday, we observed the name " Christian Chapel," in large gilt 
letters, over the door; but after entering and sitting a little 
while, we found they were what is known at the North as Disci- 
ples, or Campbellites, though there were some among them who 
had been connected, in other cities, with our Christian denomina- 
tion. 

We leave the above without any remarks. And now, to conclude, 
shall we say, Let us try to be the most pious people, each and 



124 

all of us, that any one can meet with ; — not because we have not 
got wealth and influence, and that we may at least have great 
piety to boast of, — no, not to boast of, — ^but to sustain us and en- 
able us to be what we profess to be, — Christians indeed and in 
truth. There is no knowing what good we might accomplish hero 
in our land, if we would all be a very godly people. We might 
be the means of stirring up those who have greater means of sup- 
porting missions, and thus our influence might extend throughout 
the habitable globe ; and even if we did not receive all the credit 
that might belong to us from men, no matter, — God would know 
all about it, and in his own way and time give us our reward. 

How nice it would be to live only to God, and try to please 
him alone, and endeavor to do a great many good things without 
letting any one else but He and Jesus know any thing about 
them. When, when shall we arrive at Christian perfection,— 
that perfect manner of life that the apostles have recommended in 
every chapter of their writings ? Are we not too apt to think 
these writings above our ability to practise them ? We forget 
that they were addressed to men and women like ourselves. We 
conclude with the language of Jude : — " Now to him who is able 
to keep us from falling^ and to present us faultless before the 
presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God 
our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now 
and forever Amen.'' 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: Sept. 2009 

PreservationTechnologles 

A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 
111 Thomson Paik Dnve 
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724)779-2111 



